Kristen Whittle, the architect behind the unique building, with Bill Henning from Erwin Allsop.
By Danielle Galvin
A NEW mental health facility at the Dandenong Hospital is on the way to completion, with patients to be moved in next week.
While the facility is expected to be finished in August 2012, the first stage signals the expansion of mental health services in the south-east.
Southern Health opened the first stage with State Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge taking a tour of the old facility and the new building.
Southern Health CEO Shelly Park said the purpose-built facility would provide an extended level of care.
“This is a fantastic development, and this is a great day for the south-east,” Ms Park said.
The $69 million dollar facility will provide care for 120 patients, double that of the current facility.
Ms Wooldridge said that the facility signalled a change in the way people viewed mental health.
“This will provide a modern, fresh and warm environment. As well as privacy for patients,” Ms Wooldridge said.
Kristen Whittle and his team from Bates Smart were the architects and interior designers behind the new facility.
“When you design a building, you have an idea and you hope that it will turn into a reality. We can look at this building with pride,” he said.
Eugene Cheah worked on the building too.
“We wanted it to be non-institutional. We wanted there to be a synergy between wellness and wellbeing, a unified single space.”
The facility is made out of recycled timber and has a number of open courtyards.
Inside, the architects wanted to establish a welcoming environment, rather than a clinical feeling.
“We wanted to integrate nature and buildings together, to harness the design,” Mr Cheah said.
Head architect Kristen Whittle said that creating a positive workplace was also important.
“The philosophy behind it is that it is people-centred architecture.”
Southern Health CEO Shelly Park said that artworks would soon be incorporated into the building to make the space feel more homely.
“This is a milestone for Dandenong.”
Ms Wooldridge said that anticipating the needs for these facilities was an important task for the State Government. She said that the first stage of the new development was a step in the right direction.
“It’s great to see what was and now what will be,” Ms Wooldridge said.
