Woods Bagot tapped by South Australian Health Minister to lead multidisciplinary team for new Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide

This multidisciplinary team of architects, health planners, simulation specialists, and agency representatives was announced by the South Australian health minister Stephen Wade. The planning phase is the first of two key stages to deliver the new hospital. A third stage, post-occupancy review, is also anticipated.

The four firms have a long affiliation with one another and a significant track record in delivering carefully crafted and efficient healthcare projects. Woods Bagot Director Thomas Masullo described leading the hand-picked project team on a vital community asset as a great privilege.

“Bringing fresh, critical thinking to the new hospital, the A+ team, will combine the clinical with the creative to imagine and implement new international benchmarks for women and children’s health in Adelaide. We’re here to develop the scheme for a viable, profoundly functional building with people and wellbeing at the heart of its design,” Masullo said.

During the planning phase, the team will produce a master plan and concept design study, culminating with a schematic design to inform the cost modeling for the final business case. The phase involves a significant body of work, including strong engagement with hospital staff, clinicians, consumers, community members, unions, and key stakeholders.

Mark Healey, a studio director at Bates Smart, relishes the opportunity to help create a contemporary, patient-focused hospital which will be loved by the people of Adelaide.

“My experience leading the interior design of Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital has given me great insight into how integral these buildings are in the fabric of their communities. There is a level of personal investment in such a project, which makes the design journey richer and more rewarding,” Healey said.

London-based firm BDP brings unparalleled experience in the design and delivery of major children’s hospitals, including the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, UK, Great Ormond Street in London (UK), and Dublin Children’s Hospital in its namesake city.

“Having spent my entire career in the design and delivery of healthcare facilities I have a genuine passion for delivering great patient and staff focused facilities which benefit the communities they serve and leave behind a legacy of which all involved can be proud to have delivered,” said BDP director Paul Johnson.

Jacobs’ global technology director for healthcare, Matthew Holmes, understands the importance of listening to the staff and community “to provide a facility that will be positively life-changing for so many South Australians while being as sustainable as possible to run and operate.”

Together, the ‘A+’ team looks forward to creating a women’s and children’s hospital that delivers more for Adelaide’s health networks, community wellbeing, public safety, and quality of life — the ultimate outcomes that major health infrastructure is meant to serve.