AIA 2018 South Australian Architecture Awards

DesignInc representatives Richard Does (Director, Sydney), Sandeep Amin (Managing Director, Sydney), Wayne Dixon (Director, Adelaide) and Christon Batey-Smith (Director, Melbourne) attended AIA South Australian chapter annual awards on 30 June 2018 to see Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) receive three awards in the categories of public architecture, sustainable architecture and interior architecture.

Commendation for Public Architecture

RAH is part of the largest health and research precinct in the southern hemisphere and is South Australia’s greenest hospital. Designed for efficiency and patient wellbeing, there are 800 in-patient beds in private rooms with ensuites and operable windows.  The layout optimises journey times for treatment, recovery and clinical care, and technology systems aid staff and patients to improve the healthcare experience and achieve better patient outcomes.

The RAH building provides a twenty-first-century patient-centric healthcare facility in response to the aspirational brief.

Jury Citation
AIA Awards, Public Architecture

Commendation for Sustainable Architecture

The jury commented on the natural light, ventilation and views at RAH as well as other sustainability initiatives such as air quality, rainwater and stormwater harvesting and extensive landscaping. The project has a 50-per-cent target reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to equivalent hospitals, and a co-generation system utilises waste heat from energy generators to provide heating and cooling to the building.

Award for Interior Architecture

RAH was the largest project in the category, yet still demonstrated ‘exceptional attention to detail’ and had a ‘clear story to tell.’ Drawing from the parkland setting, the hospital has open green spaces for relaxation and healing; naturally ventilated balconies for winter sun; and merges external and internal materials to blur the lines between inside and out. Art is also thoughtfully integrated throughout and contributes to the overarching story of ‘a hospital in parkland, with parkland in the hospital.’

DesignInc would like to thank project partner Silver Thomas Hanley in achieving this outstanding project together, and the AIA South Australian chapter for recognising the architectural skill and innovation in a project that will provide a significant contribution to the South Australia population and the future of Australian healthcare.