Bates Smart Architects

Bendigo Hospital

Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke

Bendigo Hospital

Silver Thomas Hanley + Bates Smart

LIGHTING CONSULTANT
Inlite

LANDSCAPE
Oculus

SIGNAGE AND WAYFINDING
ID/Lab

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Silver Thomas Hanley in collaboration with Bates Smart

ENGINEERING
Inhabit

CLIENTS
Lendlease

PHOTOGRAPHS
Peter Clarke

AREA
95000 m²

YEAR
2017

LOCATION
Bendigo, Australia

CATEGORY
Hospital

Text description provided by architect.

The new Bendigo Hospital is the largest regional hospital development in Victoria.

Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke
Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke

The $AUD 630 million project delivers world-class healthcare facilities and aims to provide a welcoming, holistic and positive environment that promotes wellbeing.

In addition to the hospital itself, the project incorporates retail facilities, a childcare centre, and hotel.

Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke
Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke

The hospital offers a tranquil and caring environment for staff, patients and visitors through the integration of architecture, landscaping, health planning and evidence-based design.

The new building is inspired by Bendigo’s architectural vernacular and natural environment, and unites them with a holistic approach to healthcare.

Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke
Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke

Our design considers the building and landscape as an integrated whole. The built form reaches out and frames the garden setting, whilst the landscape is drawn internally in order to create inner sanctuaries of tranquillity.

The building’s façade is distinguished by a pattern of glass panels with increased reflectivity. These windows glisten and mirror the surrounding natural landscape, making the building a more inviting facility.

Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke
Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke
Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke

The inclusion of three native trees within the hospital entrance enhances the biophilic ethos of the building. While a rooftop garden, visible from inside the mental health ward provides a visual connection to nature.

Internally a bespoke and intimately woven timber ceiling runs between the hospital’s two entrances.

The woven pattern filters daylight from the skylights above, providing an ever-changing dappled light effect. The use of timber provides a sense of warmth and helps to increase the wellbeing of patients, visitors and staff.

Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke
Bendigo Hospital
© Peter Clarke

The Bendigo Hospital development is considered a key milestone for central Victoria and will service the region well into the future.


Bendigo Hospital
Ground floor plan
Bendigo Hospital
1st floor plan


Bendigo Hospital
Site plan
Bendigo Hospital
Internal section


Bendigo Hospital
South east elevation
Bendigo Hospital
North elevation

Bates Smart Architects
T +61 3 86646200 F +61 3 86646300
Bates Smart Architects
1 Nicholson St, East Melbourne VIC 3002, Australia