The hospital presents a strong and unique presence responding to the characteristics and the vernacular of the region, creating a welcoming environment and a distinct sense of place. The design has been considered holistically, developing the form and massing as a direct expression of the function of the facilities while integrating these into a whole campus development.

The three primary elements of the campus; the diagnostic and treatment bar, the inpatient pavilions and the women’s and children’s hospital are individually expressed to create a vibrant but ordered composition. The architecture of the diagnostic and treatment bar reflects its position as the primary component of the hospital, serving both the inpatient accommodation and the women’s and children’s hospital. The diagnostic and treatment bar contains the most critical and highly serviced elements of the hospital including emergency care, main theatres and critical care, outpatients and ambulatory care, imaging, facilities management, mortuary, and pathology.

This element forms a strong backbone to the campus when viewed on arrival, with the women’s and children’s hospital acting as a softer foil, and as a backdrop to the inpatient pavilions when viewed from the south western aspect. The roofscape is developed as a series of irregular pitches enclosing roof level plant installations, emphasising entrance positions and providing a striking silhouette against the hills and skyline. The wooded landscape extends from the southwest into the north east of the campus and forms a natural setting for the women’s and children’s hospital. It generates a softness to the arrival environment and forms a protective buffer between the hospital and the vehicular areas.