Subterms
A 130-metre-tall, 39-storey tower could be joining the St Leonards skyline on Sydney’s North Shore. The developer has submitted a development application for demolition and excavation works on a site at 100 Christie Street to make way for a new mixed-use tower. The scheme designed by PWT Architects incorporates “a sculpted tower form with rounded […] More
Sydney Metro has submitted a proposal to the City of Sydney for an over-station development on Hunter Street in the commercial heart of Sydney’s CBD. The Hunter Street Metro Planning Proposal comprises two concurrent state significant development applications (Hunter Street East and Hunter Street West), which include establishing an integrated commercial, retail and station development […] More
Royal Darwin Hospital will soon receive a new mental health facility, with construction of a three-storey, 18-bed building due to start in the coming months. Designed by Territory firm Ashford Architects, the therapeutic facility is intended to help relieve pressure on the hospital’s emergency department. Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Lauren Moss said […] More
Gender equity advocacy organisation Parlour has launched a podcast series that shares candid conversation between women in architecture about life, work and issues of the built environment. Recorded live at its many “seasonal salons”, the series explore a wide range of topics from the personal to the profession. The salons were held across Australia, beginning […] More
A recent study by Curtin University sought to understand how design of Perth’s new children’s hospital impacted nurse workflow activities and patient and family experiences.
The $1.2-billion paediatric hospital, designed by JCY Architects and Urban Designers, Cox Architecture, and Billard Leece Partnership with HKS, hwelcomed its first patients in May 2018, replacing the former 109-year-old Princess Margaret Hospital in Subiaco.
The new hospital design incorporates mostly single patient rooms, a 65 percent larger floor area than the previous hospital, and a V-shaped ward designed to maximise natural light and views for its occupants.
The research, published in Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, considered the perspectives of nurses, patients and families through a pre- and post-move study, conducted over three different periods from November 2017 to September 2019.
The study found nurses spent double the amount time walking in the new hospital compared with the previous and the same amount of time spent at patients’ bedsides. Nurses reported initial exaustion after the relocation to the new hospital but the study concluded that “over time, the initial practice challenges reduced as nurses adapted to working in the new environment.”
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Perth Children’s Hospital by JCY Architects and Urban Designers, Cox Architecture, and Billard Leece Partnership, with HKS. Image:
Shannon McGrath
“Our research revealed both benefits and challenges. Patients and families liked the new environment (in particular the natural light, privacy of single patient rooms and views), yet also recognised how the design resulted in reduced visibility of nurses and a sense of isolation,” said lead researcher associate professor Fenella Gill.
“Nurses reported that the new environment resulted in them initially experiencing exhaustion; less visibility to families and other nurses; and decreased capacity to supervise less experienced nurses, but over time they did adjust to their new working environment and their experiences did improve.”
But while there was a perceived reportage that nurses were less visible and spent less time with patients, lead researcher associate professor Fenella Gill said the study revealed “no hard change” to nurse time spent at patients’ bedsides.
Read the full paper, “A new children’s hospital with larger floor space, single rooms and V-shaped ward design: A pre – post evaluation of nurse time providing patient care and nurse, patient and family experiences,” here. More
Levantine Hill Estate has received council approval for a $20-million, Fender Katsalidis-designed hotel to be built on its estate.
Fender Katsalidis previously designed the $30-million avant-garde winery, restaurant and function space for Levantine Hill Estate completed in 2021, drawing its “bucolic” character from the scenes of the Yarra Valley.
Fender Katsalidis director Karl Fender was since engaged to design the 2900-square-metre, 33-room boutique accommodation, with earth works now expected to start early 2023.
Stage one of the hotel will complement the existing cellar door restaurant and wine production facility, while plans for a second, 47-room hotel will be submitted for approval mid-2023.
The accommodation ventures are intended to respond to untapped demand for additional premium accomodation in the Yarra Valley, to cater for weddings, conferences and trade events.
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The boutique 33-key hotel will be located a short walk from the existing buildings and connected by a village green Image:
Fender Katsalidis
Fender said the hotel design addresses the challenge of sensitive integration, employing a linear form that reduces its visual impact while capitalising on views.
“There was a conscious decision to create a soft, complementary architecture to the two distinctive buildings already completed,” said Fender. “The design is informed by the functions of the building and responds to its placement in the landscape.”
The two-storey structure will incorporate materials used in the existing cellar door building, including silver top ash and exposed concrete finishes. “The raw, natural elements and finishes will weather naturally and patina elegantly with age in harmony with the environment,” Fender added.
Each guest room will features its now circular spa baths and private balconies, while a bridal suite will include its own dressing room, cellar and bar, to address demand for wedding experiences.
Levantine Estate managing director Samantha Jreissati said the new offering will help the winery to fully realise its aspirations, blending architectural excellence with quality wine in the Yarra Valley.
“We are simply filling a gap in our existing offering and aim to provide better facilities and a seamless experience for our patrons,” she said. More
Sydney-based Drew Dickson Architects has won a design competition for a mixed-use development at 58 Anderson Street, Chatswood, New South Wales. A competitive design process was undertaken in June 2022, following which the jury unanimously agreed on the scheme submitted by Drew Dickson Architects as the preferred scheme. The jury commented the submission provided a […] More
Construction is now underway on the restoration and redevelopment of the Forestry building in Hobart after the project was approved by the City of Hobart in May 2022. Formerly the headquarters for Forestry Tasmania, the iconic domed building has ben vacant for several years following Forestry Tasmania vacating the premises in 2017. The University of […] More
