Constructed as part of a $454.6 million redevelopment of Cairns Hospital, the new clinical services block is designed and built to consider the future health needs of Far North Queensland.
In addition to housing 264 beds, the facility features a state-of-the-art hybrid operating theatre and an additional cardiac catheter laboratory. A new radiation oncology service, additional surgical and intensive care capacity, expanded birthing services and special care nursery, as well as additional aged care and beds for mental health services, are among the new features.
Each level has a patient balcony, and rooms have been designed to maximise the view of Trinity Inlet or nearby mountains.
Native flowers, colourful reefs and tropical rainforests are brought to life in the hospital’s Block D interior. The hospital’s palette references the colour and form of native plants that have specific regional significance to indigenous culture, such as melaleuca and mangroves, and takes inspiration from the reef, rainforest and tropical landscape of Far North Queensland.
To achieve the design vision for the hospital, Fisher Buttrose Architects engaged Laminex Australia for a vast range of products, colours and finishes.
Kathy Lakis, lead designer and senior associate at McConnel Smith & Johnson, says the fusing of the exterior landscape with internal spaces is a distinct feature. “We drew inspiration from the unique botanicals of the region to create an interior that captures the vibrancy and colour of this distinctive landscape,” says Lakis.
In bedrooms and ward areas, a more subtle version of the theme is designed to facilitate patient comfort and provide an environment where patients can rest and recuperate. “To give a sense of calm and healing, we needed to use layers of softer colours and textures. The result is a light scheme that evokes the feeling of a clean, fresh clinical environment,” said Lakis.
The result is a vibrant, non-institutional environment that is also identifiable and iconic.
