Architect duo takes on the Victorian Heart Hospital

Please note: As of 1 February 2021, the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority (VHHSBA) became the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA).

Two powerhouse architectural firms have joined forces to design and deliver Australia’s first standalone hospital dedicated to heart medicine and research.

The Victorian Heart Hospital will be located in Clayton, Victoria and delivered in partnership with Monash University and Monash Health in the centre of Melbourne’s growth corridor.

After a highly competitive tender process, Conrad Gargett from Brisbane and John Wardle Architects from Melbourne were chosen by the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority to co-design the new state-of-the-art hospital in a joint venture.

Tony Michele, Project Director of the Victorian Heart Hospital for the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority said the two architecture firms were a natural choice.

“Conrad Gargett and John Wardle Architects were the only firms to present a joint venture in the tender process and presented an impressive collaborative approach to a complex design brief that will integrate world leading cardiac healthcare, research, teaching, training and innovation,” said Mr Michele.

The Victorian Government’s $470 million investment in the hospital will feature 195 beds for cardiac patients from early childhood to old age and include an emergency department, cardiac catheterisation labs, specialist surgical and imaging facilities and tele-medicine services for Victorian, interstate and even international patients.

Meaghan Dwyer, a principal of John Wardle Architects and Project Director – Architecture, said the joint venture architecture firms will be “focused on a robust design and delivery strategy that will bring together best practice in healthcare design and an empathetic design approach.”

“We will lead the highly experienced, skilled and creative team to deliver the Victorian Heart Hospital and will apply experience, imagination and knowledge to design and deliver this ground-breaking facility.”
Meaghan Dwyer, principal, John Wardle Architects

Rebecca Moore, Design Director - Health, stated, “Conrad Gargett | John Wardle Architects is privileged to design and deliver Australia’s first dedicated heart hospital, the Victorian Heart Hospital. Through innovative design, this state-of-the-art environment has the potential to transform cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention by addressing MonashHeart’s four platforms and bringing the various occupants together in imaginative ways.”

Both firms bring together a wealth of experience across health, retail, residential and education sectors.

Conrad Gargett are leaders in hospital design in Brisbane having designed the 359-bed Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in inner city Brisbane along with St Stephen’s Hospital in Hervey Bay which is Australia’s first fully digital hospital.

John Wardle Architects have received accolades for their work in the education and research sectors having designed the Melbourne School of Design at the University of Melbourne.

The firm have also designed the Queensland Brain Institute which brings together a diverse community of chemists, cardiologists, neurologists and psychiatrists across 26 difference disciplines. Their experience in building collaborative spaces will prove invaluable for the Victorian Heart Hospital which will be home to clinical staff, researches and students from Monash Health, Monash Heart and Monash University.

For more information on the Victorian Heart Hospital project visit our project page.