Woodhead Architects and DesignInc Melbourne have scooped an award for The Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne for influencing global design and promoting development in the healthcare sector.

The hospital won the Best International Health Project category at the International Academy for Design and Health Awards in Singapore last week.

The project was commended for promoting a ‘healing’ environment and incorporating innovative and flexible spaces in its design. It was also praised for maintaining sustainability and value for money as balanced design outcomes.

Woodhead health director, David Gilbert, said the development has now established a new global benchmark in hospital design.

"Now and in the future, the challenge for designers is to express a genuine sense of humanity in the creation of tangible healing environments,” he told Architecture & Design.

“The Royal Women’s Hospital brings together system functionality and the humanity of carers that impacts health outcomes for patients and reduced stress for staff.”

Gilbert said the development’s contemporary and innovative design allows for future expansion and maintains the hospital’s reputation as a leading international healthcare facility.

He predicts improvements in the sector will have a positive impact on patients and staff and go towards supporting health, wellbeing and quality of life.