Architect Peter Stutchbury has come up with the idea of extending the internal arches of the former South Sydney hospital buildings at Green Square beyond its façade to create additional covered outdoor areas.

His proposal is part of the overall transformation of the disused hospital site into a suite of new community facilities fringing a new park, which sit within the new Green Square town centre, and under the City of Sydney’s $440 million precinct development.

The new designs include a roof made with a series of timber-lined arches, with the extra community space expected to house markets, exercise classes and small concerts.

At the same time, the three-storey former nurses’ quarters (Esme Cahill building) will be made into a creative hub with artists’ studios, workshops, classrooms, gallery spaces and areas for the community to hire.

The adjacent former pathology building will furthermore host a community shed, which will be the venue for a series of workshops and include public toilets.

Both buildings front onto the site for the new Matron Ruby Grant Park, which will provide passive open space for recreation and a children’s playground. This park is a major element of the landscaping works being master-planned by JMD Design in collaboration with the Peter Stutchbury team.

Fox Johnston and architects Choi Ropiha Fighere (CHROFI) are also involved in the project.

In addition to the creation of these new community spaces, the City of Sydney will be building essential infrastructure such as roads and footpaths, a new library and plaza, aquatic centre, and childcare centre at Green Square.