Since co-founding Gray Puksand more than 30 years ago, Robert Puksand’s unwavering dedication to industry-leading design and guiding approach to leadership has grown the business to become one of Australia’s leading architecture practices.

Having established the Victorian Chapter Urban Design Committee in 2011 and previously acting as President of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, he is passionate about advocating for the value of design across all levels and sectors.

Puksand, now Gray Puksand’s National Health and Science Lead, discusses the practices increasing work in the sector, the importance of wellbeing-centric design, and how he coaches his team to success.

The decision to expand Gray Puksand’s design services into the health and science sector was a natural evolution according to him, who has led the team for the last several years.

“The ethos of Gray Puksand centres around using design to influence the world around us and providing better outcomes for the community,” Puksand says.

“We’ve been involved in the education sector for several decades and in that time, have seen the power of good design in our work. This led us to realise we could also make a real difference in the health space.”

The Health and Science team now work in every part of the sector, with their projects ranging from small fit-outs to entire master-planned healthcare and research precincts.

“These projects often present incredibly specific requirements in the delivery of clinical spaces, operating theatres, imaging rooms and research laboratories. This can be challenging, however often leads to us implementing some really exciting design solutions,” Puksans says.

“Outside of these spaces, the majority of a hospital doesn’t have to be clinical. This is where we really focus on deinstitutionalisation to create an environment that improves outcomes for both staff and patients.”

Puksand believes a key consideration of quality health and science design is being conscious of the staff’s social, physical and emotional needs within the space, arguing that these factors are critical in improving patient care outcomes.

“While patient care naturally drives a lot of our design decisions, it’s important to remember that hospitals are also workspaces for thousands of people who work under incredible pressure,” he says.

“Our purpose is to create environments that will enable them to be the best version of themselves at work, so all the elements that make a good workspace also make a good health and science project.”

Gray Puksand’s innovative Royal Melbourne Hospital Futures project exemplifies this approach, delivering six floors of clinical and non-clinical support services and considered office accommodation for hospital staff.

Recently shortlisted for the 2024 INDE.Awards in the Health and Wellbeing category, the project incorporates biophilic principles, organic materials, and natural light to create a calming setting that destresses and supports staff, patients, and other end-users.

“We integrated our learnings from past commercial and workspace projects into the Royal Melbourne Hospital Futures project to create a supportive setting for staff and a healing environment for patients. I’m incredibly proud of the work our team has delivered,” says Puksand.

Following the pandemic, the sector has experienced widespread operational shifts that have changed how healthcare providers use their facilities. As such, our team has been presented with a wealth of opportunities to design cutting-edge healthcare and science facilities that meet current industry needs.

“The nature of hospitals is changing. We’ve seen a shift towards telehealth consultations and shorter hospital stays, meaning that traditional ratios of operating theatres to beds are changing, and recuperation support in a home setting is growing,” he says.

“This allows us to take a more holistic design approach when updating these facilities and focus on including innovative technologies and elements to deliver better outcomes.”

Puksand is inspired by architecture from across the world, taking cues from designs that are not only visually interesting but result in positive experiences for end-users of the space.

“The Maggie’s Centres in the UK really sparked my passion for this sector of architecture. These centres have been delivered by some of the world’s leading architects to deliver care for those who have been affected by cancer,” he says.

“There’s no acute treatment rooms or operating theatres in these centres, just a variety of thoughtfully designed, calming spaces to provide physical and emotional support for patients and their loved ones.”

Reflecting on his time as a leader, Puksand takes pride in guiding his team to achieve inspiring outcomes.

“My role is to be the coach of the team. I’m always looking at what we’re doing and how we can do it better whilst liberating people to find their own way,” he says.

“The entire organisation consists of incredibly motivated and dedicated professionals, and it gives me the greatest enjoyment as a leader to watch them grow and reach their full potential.”

Read the original article published on the practice’s website.

Clémence Carayol

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