very special kids hospice
This project for a new children’s hospice was initiated through a preliminary research study that considered the future for Very Special Kids (VSK) with the primary goal of determining how it can continue to deliver high-quality paediatric palliative and hospice care to patients and their families. A critical consideration in assessing the current condition of the hospice was understanding the changing needs of the children and families accessing the hospice. The clinical needs of babies, children and adolescents with life-shortening illnesses continues to change as their care becomes more complex; and the workforce and the physical environment requires a level of adaptation to respond to these changes.
Eleven key recommendations of the research study form the basis of a design for a new hospice on the existing site in Malvern. These include: incorporating universal design principles; ensuring privacy and dignity for the children attending the facility; creating an environment that is familiar (the sense that it is a home away from home); developing a design that reflects the changing context of care; acknowledging the distinct size and scale of the hospice to avoid the sense of it being an institutional building; choreographing a clear sense of arrival and departure; celebrating atmosphere and play; ensuring pragmatic and functional solutions that supports the management of the building; incorporating landscape and nature; optimising pedestrian flow and visibility through the building; and creating an architecture that is easy to maintain and sustainable.
A coordinated set of strategies have been adopted to meet these key principals for the project, developed and tested through a rigorous dialogue with the VSK board, management, staff, families and associated stakeholders. The siting new hospice has been shifted towards the south to give the building more presence and a clear line of sight to the entry. A square footprint provides an efficient floor area to envelope ratio and the insertion of a central courtyard acts as the lungs of the building, drawing in natural light and ventilation and providing good line of sight and short travel distances for staff. Points of entry on Adelaide St and from the Glenferrie Road side provide more options for access for staff, families and suppliers. The building tilts away from the existing heritage administration building to increase landscape around both buildings and reinforce the campus-like experience of the site with improved pedestrian connection. A two-storey component on the Adelaide Street side consolidates the family support team within the building and provides great presence, while still sitting comfortably within this residential context. A contiguous canopy-like roof of folding gables and hips is suspended above the hospice, accentuated by cathedral ceilings that designate zones of activity, including the therapy spaces, end-of life wing, family support team offices, entry and recreation spaces. On the north and east sides facing new landscaped areas is a set of deep covered veranda spaces that more easily accommodate outdoor activities while creating a visual connection to the verandas wrapping around the existing administration building. A basement level contains car parking (which offsets the carparking that was original at grade) along with back of house and storage spaces.
This is a unique building type that seeks to create an environment and atmosphere that offers families the security and peace of mind that comes with a community of highly trained healthcare professionals, but within an environment that is familiar and speaks of ‘home’.
Project Team: Andrew Simpson, Melany Hayes, Dhanika Kumaheri, Andrew Devine, Simona Falvo
Completed: 2018 - ongoing
Collaborators: Prof. Alan Pert, Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin