Multiplex to build Australia's tallest hospital

Australian contractor Multiplex has been chosen to build the new central acute services building as part of a AU$1 billion (US$648 million) redevelopment of Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia.

This appointment marks the end of a user group consultation process, in which the company consulted clinicians, patients, families and local community members in order to establish an appropriate design.

At twelve storeys high, it was said that the new hospital building will be the tallest in Australia.

David Ghannoum, regional managing director of Multiplex, said, “The new building will be built up rather than out and won’t follow the traditional large horizontal floorplate.”

This was said to be in line with the current trend towards vertical hospital design.

Over a total floor space of 95,559m², the building will provide a range of adult and paediatric services, including emergency, pharmacy, imaging, state-of-the-art operating suites, and multiple in-patient units.

One-and-a-half floors will be dedicated to the University of Sydney, and there will also be a helipad on level 13 and an underground car park.

A series of bridge links will connect the new hospital building with the existing Westmead Hospital and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

The new design also includes a plaza spread over an area equivalent to two football fields, which will act as the new front door to the precinct.