Client
HYLC Joint Venture
Overview
Collaborators
Silver Thomas Hanley
DesignInc
Grieve Gillett Architects
Judy Porter
Allbridge and Gilbert
Intro
Disciplines
Landscape Architecture
Urban Design
Location
Adelaide, SA
Date
2017
Imagery
Tract
Awards
2018 AILA Landscape Architecture Award – Urban Design (SA)
2018 AILA Landscape Architecture Award – Civic Landscape (SA)
2018 AILA Landscape Architecture Award – Cultural Heritage (SA)
The Royal Adelaide Hospital sets a new benchmark for the delivery of healthcare in Adelaide and across Australia.
Situated adjacent to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide’s CBD North-West corner cements its position as one of Australia’s leading medical precincts and has lead to the rejuvenation of the city’s West End.
The Royal Adelaide Hospital is located at the historically significant junction point of North and West Terrace, the general location of Col. Light’s survey marker for the Adelaide grid. The site occupies a prominent position in terms of it sheer size, its relationship with the city grid, the River Torrens, parklands and its relationship with the indigenous and cultural history of Adelaide.
Through the extensive consultation program, the urban design and landscape concept was conceived to deliver a design that reflects, integrates and enhances the social, cultural and landscape character of the area. Our team then carried this through to detailed design, construction documentation, approvals and attendance during construction to see the project through over 5 years to its completion in September 2017.
The design philosophy, ‘Park within a hospital, hospital within a park’, stems from this clear geographic link, incorporating scientific research that demonstrates the increased rate of healing and wellbeing of patients that are connected to the natural world.
The “a hospital within a park” sees extensive public plazas, gardens and parklands wrap around the building forming a vital urban park open and connected to the city. The “park within the hospital” incorporates 75 internal courtyards, sky-gardens and balconies that provide patients and staff with a variety of areas for respite, refreshment, physical therapy, quiet contemplation and lively places to socialise.
These visual and physical landscape connections and linkages to key educational, retail/commercial, open space and transport infrastructure nodes allows for the creation of a sustainable, pedestrian friendly and community oriented health based development.