wiltshire + swain architects completed the Ashford Hospital redevelopment to bring new life and ease to the space in Adelaide, Australia.

The overall character of Ashford Hospital was successfully represented through a site wide refurbishment, where contemporary interior architecture was injected into all stages of this significant redevelopment.

The scope of works commenced with the transformation of the Hospital’s front-of-house facilities located on the Ground Floor. This saw a brand new and relocated reception, administration, waiting area, amenities and pharmacy, while making way for an extension to the hospitals Day Procedure Unit, café and other patient services.

The existing internal light well courtyard was an integral design element, creating a vibrant heart for the Hospital. Existing structural elements such as the granite clad liftwell, staircase, exposed painted brickwork and expressed bracing structure were maintained, enhanced and considered with proposed new surrounding design elements, fixtures and finishes.

The Day Procedure Unit underwent a considerable upgrade which resulted in transforming the space and increasing the capacity from 14 to 30 chairs, doubling its size. This space now includes flexible pre and post surgery waiting areas, interview and preparation rooms, toilets, a new second stage recovery area and staff station with amenities. Utilising the existing internal courtyard and highlighting the existing expressed steel bracing structure, a mezzanine was added directing light to circulation areas while creating an enclosed and private clinical environment where required. The Day Procedure Unit now offers a modern, comfortable and therapeutic environment for staff, patients and visitors of the Ashford Hospital.

On Level 1, a 65-bed ward redevelopment included the reconfiguration of patient bedrooms, minimising the number of shared bedrooms while increasing the number of private bedrooms with dedicated ensuites. This included the specification of all floor finishes, ceilings, wall linings and protection, external window suites, fixtures, lighting, nurse call system upgrade and joinery. The corridors to the bedrooms where also updated with new floor finishes, handrails and crash rails as well as new Staff Stations accompanied with Medication Rooms and Staff amenities. The new Staff Stations were designed with practicality in mind, equipped with ample storage and plenty of spaciousness and centrally located for passive supervision. The custom curved-edge desk design and selection of neutral materials with hints of pastel blue added a sense of warmth and comfort to an otherwise clinical environment.

An additional extension of the Level 1 atrium was also constructed to accommodate an open reflective Sacred Space, and to centralise hospital administrative and support staff. The effects is an environment that fosters the wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors with a flood of natural light penetrating from the skylights and generous 3 level void above.

Architect: wiltshire + swain architects
Contractor: Schiavello Construction
Photography: Denis Smith, James Knowler