Queensland Children’s Hospital designed by Conrad Gargett Lyons has won the prestigious Future Health Project Award in the 2013 Design & Health International Academy Awards.

The accolade recognises the design of a future healthcare facility that acknowledges the changing role of the hospital within the wider health system and the local community, and demonstrates a vision for healthy environments.

Located in Southbank, Brisbane, the 'super hospital' is due to be completed in 2014. It brings together the two existing children’s hospitals – the Royal Children’s and Mater Children’s Hospitals – into a new purpose-designed facility to deliver state-of-the-art paediatric care to the state-wide community.

The design by Conrad Gargett Lyons has been commended for innovatively referencing the structure of a tree with a ‘trunk’ and ‘branches’ providing vertical and horizontal linkages. It aims to unite diverse cultures, moving beyond silo departments and providing a rich community environment.

Conrad Gargett Riddel managing director Bruce Wolfe says key drivers in the design are access to natural light, fresh air and landscaping, all critical elements in creating a healing environment.

“Patients can experience a greater sense of wellbeing when spaces are designed to feel less institutional through abundant natural light and access to landscape, and offer areas of social interaction and reflection.”

Wolfe has been a strong contributor to the advancement of health design, and played an instrumental role in bringing the 9^th Design & Health World Congress and Exhibition to Australia, which was held last week in Brisbane along with the awards.

The internal 'trunk' and reception.

The congress provided a valuable opportunity for industry experts from more than 40 countries to engage in a series of discussions on the future of global healthcare and design, with an aim to shift the emphasis from risk factors and the treatment of disease to a more holistic understanding of a healthy society that promotes wellness.

The $1.1 billion Queensland Children’s Hospital was a major reference project throughout the congress, with international health industry experts invited on a study tour of the facility.

Australia has continued to set a global benchmark for the design of children’s hospitals, with the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne – designed by Billard Leece Partnership, Bates Smart and HKS – winning the Future Health Award category last year. It has gone on to take numerous accolades.

Lisa Rapley

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