GHDWoodhead has unveiled Colin Rofe as its new Director, as it looks to expand and improve its health architecture output.

Holding extensive architectural experience within the sector across Australia, China and India, Rofe will lead its health architecture practice nationally.

Most recently, Rofe worked in the High Value High Risk – Project Initiation team at the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority, acting as a “bridge” between business case development and project delivery, which saw him oversee the entirety of the planning, engineering, architectural, risk and cost assessment stages.

“Colin’s appointment expands our architectural design and health planning offering across Australia,” says GHDWoodhead’s Victorian Studio Director, Will Delaney.

“He will establish a core health team in Victoria and collaborate with our design teams across Australia to elevate and expand our integrated architecture and engineering design offer within this sector.

“Colin brings a collaborative mindset, extensive public and private experience of design delivery across a global portfolio and an outstanding client-side understanding of healthcare.”

Rofe’s background as a nurse gives him an increased advantage in terms of understanding the needs of staff and stakeholders, with light and space the key to outstanding healthcare outcomes.

“Good design can help patients feel more comfortable and recover quicker, while providing a better working environment for staff,” he says.

“Wayfinding is surprisingly far more important than expected. It is critical that a distressed relative or friend can find their way around easily. Wayfinding extends to clearly marked entries and helpful reception/concierge services and attentive ward staff.

“Also, cleverly thought-out spaces and flows can make it easier to provide health care. And everyone likes a view.”

GHDWoodhead is currently involved in the delivery of the Modbury Hospital Upgrades (SA), The Prince Charles Hospital Expansion (QLD) and the Princess Alexandra Hospital Rehabilitation and Subacute Services (QLD). Rofe will now work alongside the existing team throughout the remainder of the design process for each project. The new Director gives some insight to his approach below.

“Modern hospital planning involves dissolving campus boundaries to establish a permeable ground plane, similar to an everyday shopping strip,” he says.

This method of integration allows for the inclusion of familiar spaces into healthcare settings. Also, by incorporating multi-use spaces, such as educational facilities, halls, and meeting rooms, greater integration with the surrounding community can be achieved.”

Jarrod Reedie

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