Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) this week celebrated the topping out of stage one of the Sydney Children’s Hospital and Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Randwick, New South Wales. 

Located within the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct, the new 12-storey, $658-million building is being delivered by Health Infrastructure in partnership with BLP, John Holland, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and Children’s Cancer Institute.

When completed, the new children’s hospital and cancer research building will deliver a state-of-the-art healthcare facility, providing vital medical and research services and support to children and families. This includes a new and enhanced children’s intensive care unit, emergency department and improved parent amenities, including an Aboriginal gathering space and overnight and oncology bereavement rooms.

“This project holds significant importance within Randwick’s health and innovation precinct and is driven by the latest in paediatric design, research and technology,” BLP managing director, principal and health lead Tara Veldman says.

“Our overall aim is to create a ‘home-away-from-home’ to minimise stress and anxiety to contribute to a shorter stay in hospital and a faster recovery for the children.”

Designing a healthcare ‘home-away-from-home’

The building, which tops out at nine levels above ground, incorporates a design response that brings together creative and technical expertise to deliver a purpose-built, playful and supportive environment for children and their families.

According to BLP, the project recreates a family-friendly, less structured space as a positive distraction on the doorstep of the hospital and research laboratories. This design approach in the built environment is recognised to improve children’s mental health and wellbeing, resulting in quicker recovery times.

“There has been extensive consultation to develop this new building with over 1000 people involved, to ensure we deliver a space which feels like home to families facing their toughest times,” NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park says.

Biophilic design principles

Biophilic design principles are seamlessly integrated using natural light and physical and visual contact with green spaces. Unique to the project is the adjacent accessible green space or balcony for each ward and laboratory on every level.

The proximity to the coastline has also played an important role in the overall design, which is reflected in the colours, textures and patterns in the façade composition and materiality.

“We have deliberately designed a place that kids and their families want to engage with, informed by the feeling, experience and calmness of nature,” Veldman says.

“Our in-depth understanding of paediatric design within healthcare, and collaboration with clinicians and researchers, created a purpose-built, playful and supportive environment for children and their families.”

The Sydney Children’s Hospital Stage One and Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre is on track for completion in late 2025.

Lead image: North East render by BLP.

Read about another BLP healthcare project, Bundaberg hospital.