Fiona Stanley Hospital sets benchmark for sustainability in architecture

Fiona Stanley Hospital sets benchmark for sustainability in architecture

Jul 9, 2014  | Architecture 

Fiona Stanley Hospital sets benchmark for sustainability in architecture
(Photo by: Hassel)

Two of the state's newest and grandest buildings, the Fiona Stanley Hospital and the University of Western Australia's University Hall, have been recognized for their excellence in the 2014 Western Australia Architecture Awards.

The $2 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital – designed by the Fiona Stanley Hospital Design Collaboration, which comprises HASSELL, Hames Sharley and Silver Thomas Hanley – was named the state's most sustainable project, winning the Wallace Greenham Award for Sustainable Architecture.

HASSELL also designed the hospital's landscape, which extensively reused the site's existing flora, provides a haven for the protected Carnaby's Cockatoo, and incorporates rehabilitation aids throughout its "restful public parkland" grounds.

The judges for the WA Architecture Awards 2014 said the hospital had "set the benchmark for future public buildings in Western Australia with its systemic approach to sustainable design". University Hall was awarded the Harold Krantz Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing in recognition of the "sensitive and considered" way HASSELL catered for the varied needs of the 750 student residents.

The judges said the "architects' ideas of student experience, collegiate environment and 'place' are abundantly evident throughout this well-crafted project".

Fiona Stanley Hospital was also awarded a commendation in the Urban Design category, and another HASSELL project, the historic Kalgoorlie Courthouse also received commendations for Heritage and for Public Architecture.


HASSELL Principal Brenden Kelly said the awards were recognition of the practice's ambition to weave sustainability into all its designs as well as benefit and add value at different levels to the broader community wherever possible.

"Fiona Stanley Hospital sets a new standard in 'green' healthcare design for Western Australia," Brenden said. "The client and design team took a holistic approach to sustainability for this project, and the scale and number of initiatives we have adopted are unprecedented for a public precinct in WA. The State and Brookfield Multiplex showed significant commitment in support of such initiatives, even beyond the site itself."

He said the hospital's urban design was key to its success, with every facet aimed at aiding patient recovery and supporting the staff who care for them.

"It was important to create an environment conducive to providing leading healthcare and promoting healing, rather than simply a "treatment and recovery" factory."

Mr Kelly said HASSELL's goal in designing University Hall was to create a vibrant community and collegiate environment in a building that blended and respected the surrounding precinct and complemented the existing campus.

Via Hassel
Image,video ©: Hassel