PROJECT NAME
Canberra Hospital Expansion
LOCATION
Canberra, ACT, Australia
The new Critical Services Building is the first fully operational electric hospital building in Australia, powered by 100% renewable energy. It is the largest healthcare infrastructure project ever undertaken by the ACT Government to date and will meet the healthcare needs of the growing community in the region.
The project has delivered increased capacity across Canberra Hospital’s adult intensive care, paediatric intensive care, surgical, coronary care, emergency services, and 22 operating rooms.
Designed by BVN in consultation with hospital staff and health care consumers to create an environment of healing and connection, the new facility features outdoor terraces and courtyards serving as family and visitor waiting areas, providing an elevated experience for all hospital users.
The project covers 44000sqm across nine levels and was built at the cost of $500 million.
A key element of its design is its Welcome Hall, a public space connecting the new Critical Services Building with the existing campus and is the Hospital’s new main reception.
The new Emergency Department has a dedicated children’s emergency area, expanded Fast Track and new Behavioural Assessment Unit.
Minale scope wayfinding and signage
In developing the legible layer according to clinical and public circulation, Minale took part in several Signage Focus Workshops with the hospital, the architects, and the managing contractor. Each workshop covered a different part of the project, including the exterior and the many departments, focusing on 29 departments and services, wayfinding and signage principles, graphic language, arrows, pictograms and typeface, approach to colour, colour coding, principal sign types, circulation, signage application, naming conventions, bed numbering conventions, and intra- and interdepartmental coordination of signage and language.