
The $29-million redevelopment of Royal Perth Hospital’s (RPH) intensive care unit was completed during COVID-19 restrictions, demonstrating flexibility, teamwork, and an agile design team which could respond quickly to issues arising on site.
Refurbishment involved adding an additional 24 intensive care single rooms, including one positive pressure room, four negative pressure rooms, and two rooms suited to accommodate bariatric patients. The new acute care facility, which will be staffed by around 170 nurses, 50 doctors, and allied health and support staff, brings Western Australia’s total ICU capacity to 145 beds.
The project was fast-tracked in a collaborative effort between Hunt Architects, their consultants, ADCO Constructions, the Department of Finance, and the East Metropolitan Health Service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bespoke technical solutions
Occupying a central CBD campus, the Royal Perth ICU sits among buildings as old as the heritage-listed 1855 administration building and other key structures from the early 20th century.
The complex and layered site presented numerous design challenges for redevelopment, demanding a level of expertise which Hunt Architects have refined across its more than 50 years of national practice. The studio used spatial reconfiguration in its design to provide single patient rooms with increased natural light and space, dedicated areas for distressed families, as well as family space for COVID-positive ICU patients. The refurbishment also included replacement of the mechanical plant and equipment to align with emerging requirements for airborne infection control and ventilation.
Forward-thinking healthcare design
At the ICU’s opening in March, WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said: “The state-of-the-art facility will accommodate the sickest of our patients and will boost Western Australia’s ICU capacity during this heightened phase of the pandemic.” She noted an additional 30 nurses had recently qualified to work in the ICU through an accelerated training program and more nurses would be undertaking training.
The unit was developed so it could be optimised for COVID-19 conditions, including frequent air changes throughout the unit, separate rooms fitted with switch glass windows, and a ventilation system that enables the safe accommodation of both COVID and non-COVID patients. It will host a dedicated simulation training room where training exercises can be observed from behind a one-way mirror, as well as a new clinical information system to capture, record, and collate patient data electronically.
Focus on circular energy economy
Hunt Architects – with studios in Perth and Sydney – specialises in complex technical solutions for existing buildings that have bespoke design requirements, construction methodology, and staging.
In its current practice involving building envelope upgrades to decrease energy use and improve thermal performance, the firm is exploring the circular energy economy within existing buildings to create more self-sufficient buildings and reduce ongoing operational costs.
These projects include hospitals and indoor aquatic centres, both of which are significant energy users with high outgoings for operational energy use.
Hunt Architects’ clients greatly benefit from incremental improvements in building envelope detailing, insulation, and cladding.
Cross-sector portfolio
Illustrating its commitment to precise documentation, teamwork, and thinking outside the box, Hunt has been recognised as the best architectural practice in Western Australia by the Master Builders Association five times in the past 20 years. The studio’s experience covers all stages of project development, from masterplanning through to construction documents and service during construction.
Its broad portfolio of work touches every aspect of the built environment and daily life, and its principals have extensive experience in civic, healthcare, police and justice, education, recreation, tourism, industrial, aged care, and multi-residential projects.
This gives the practice a unique insight, as its spread across so many sectors it can apply lessons learned, trends, and forward-thinking gleaned from one sector to improve outcomes in others.
“ADCO Constructions recently worked with Hunt Architects on the Royal Perth Hospital New Intensive Care Unit Redevelopment. Hunt Architect’s approach to the project was extremely collaborative and their design was well coordinated across the architectural, structural and services trades. Thank you for creating a team environment which enabled all stakeholders to work together to achieve a successful outcome for the hospital.”
Lucas Batch, Project Manager ADCO Construction