Client
VIDA Health, Western Health, Plenary Health, Multiplex
New Footscray Hospital
Health and WellnessPublic Realm
Collaborators
Cox Architecture
Billard Leece Partnership (BLP)
4D Workshop
Stantec
Disciplines
Landscape Architecture
Location
Footscray, VIC
Date
2019-2025
Imagery
Peter Bennetts
Tract
Awards
World Architecture Festival 2024 — High Commendation, Future Projects — Health
The $1.5 billion New Footscray Hospital, a community-centred design project, is delivered as a public-private partnership by Plenary Health consortium – with architects COX Architecture and Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) and landscape architecture by Tract – in partnership with the Victorian Government, Western Health and Victoria University with Multiplex as the builder.
As one of Victoria’s largest ever health infrastructure investments, the hospital will enable and promote the delivery of state-of-the-art health care to the people of Melbourne’s west, one of Australia’s fastest growing regions.
First and foremost, the hospital is a piece of world-class healthcare infrastructure – this being its core requirement. But beyond that, it represents a new model for community-centred healthcare. Seen as a long-term civic investment, it will endure, adapt, and continue serving the community for generations. Built to last, it redefines how tertiary healthcare facilities can support treatment, lifelong wellbeing, social connection and community resilience, without one compromising the other.
Serving both the local population and the wider state of Victoria, it is designed to be a hospital in and of its community; often affectionately referred to as “the People’s Hospital” in response to the campaigning and fundraising by the local community to establish the original building. This passion and commitment is at the heart of the design and has been integral to its creation.
The new Footscray Hospital has been shaped by a strong connection to Melbourne’s western suburbs and direct engagement with the local community. This collaborative approach has created a landmark hospital and health precinct that reflects local needs for healthcare and urban renewal.
Whilst a hospital first and foremost, it will also be a catalyst for change, supporting a broader health, education, research and community precinct.
The hospital is conceived as a campus rather than a singular structure, with five interconnected buildings arranged around a central village green. The landscape forms the civic heart of the precinct – anchoring the site and providing a clear point of orientation, gathering and connection.
The village green is not simply a landscape gesture; it is social infrastructure. Framed by active uses including retail and food and beverage, it holds a ceremonial space, a children’s playground, and pedestrian pathways designed to offer opportunities to relax, to gather and to connect. From the earliest design conversations, the ambition was that members of the community could see themselves visiting even when they are not patients, visitors or staff. In this way, the hospital becomes a place to go as part of everyday life – a destination that supports living well.
Buildings are scaled to suit the campus-sized precinct and massed to maximise daylight, comfort and protection from wind. This approach supports long-term environmental performance while creating spaces that are genuinely welcoming.
A footbridge directly connects Victoria University (VU) to the VU Research and Teaching building at the new Footscray Hospital.
Longevity has guided both the physical and social ambitions of the project. Beyond durability and adaptability, the design recognises that long-term health outcomes are shaped by both environment and connection.
Every step of the patient journey has been considered from the perspective of reducing stress and improving healing.
Throughout the hospital, over 20,000 square metres of external spaces, courtyards, terraces, winter gardens and green roofs allow patients, families and staff to step outside or visually connect with nature, providing moments of respite and calm within a high-performing clinical environment.
Recognising the cultural diversity of Melbourne’s west, the hospital incorporates a dedicated multi-faith space, and a First Nations courtyard designed in collaboration with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders, seamlessly integrated into the public circulation spaces. These spaces are designed to offer a quiet, culturally safe space for families and community within the hospital environment. The design acknowledges that spiritual and cultural wellbeing are integral to healing and community connection.
Wayfinding is intuitive and spatially driven, centred on the village green as the primary reference point. Colour is used deliberately to support navigation and provide moments of freshness and identity, reducing reliance on signage and improving accessibility for diverse users.
Smaller scale landscaped spaces are designed to provide a sense of home – with garden-like settings, and opportunities for longer-stay patients to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
The new Footscray Hospital demonstrates that world-class clinical care and genuine community connection are interdependent for a truly regenerative precinct.
Sustainability underpins the hospital’s long-term performance. The project incorporates an 840kW rooftop solar array, with a 5 Star Green Star accreditation. Operational strategies are focused on reducing energy use, improving indoor environmental quality and supporting future adaptability.
In a national first, the hospital is also seeking WELL Gold certification, reinforcing the principle that buildings designed for longevity must be sustainable.
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