NEW MAITLAND HOSPITAL

The New Maitland Hospital was built to serve and accommodate Maitland’s growing population, being one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia. The hospital was built on The Country of the Wonnarua nation of the upper Hunter Valley, embedding itself within the local community.

Above the front entry to New Maitland Hospital sits a glowing brick screen with Indigenous symbols. Is the narrative of the Wonnarua nation. Its beauty may seem unusual in the context of a clinical health zone. But it’s one of many features that make the New Maitland Hospital unique. A twofold design representing the Wonnarua story, with traditional symbols that refer to the surrounding context and community. This depiction was the result of a collaboration between the community, local Aboriginal artist Saretta Fielding, NSW Health Infrastructure, BVN Architecture, and Flexbrick alongside LOHAS Australia.

Upon consultation within the community, Saretta was able to pinpoint key elements of the cultural narrative,

“It was really important that we reflected Wonnarua people because the New Maitland Hospital is on Wonnarua Country so bringing their totem, the wedgetail eagle, was an important part of the design, also the Wonnarua known as the people of hills and plains was another very important aspect of Country to bring onto the design. As well as respecting our elders and acknowledging past, present, and future generations through symbolism that picked up people and our elders in particular”.

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The screen itself is an “arbour” – a long structure of terracotta tile curtains threaded onto stainless steel mesh. 12m higher and 75m longer to be exact!

A 1000 sqm canvas that provided the perfect platform for Flexbrick and its bespoke combination of 4 different terracotta tile colours to represent this collaborative design work.

Easy to install and simple to maintain, the Flexbrick arbour is also a practical solution to an expanded entryway in need of protection. The light-permeable façade acts as a natural sunscreen, reducing solar radiation using terracotta tiles.

The New Maitland Hospital design relocated all entry points onto a new western-facing façade, creating a more intuitive access. To complement the welcoming entry, the design opened the public space to create both a landscape buffer and a promenade to entry. The arbour is the unifying element.

The New Maitland Hospital, which opened in 2022, is a new model for regional hospitals, distinct from urban centres. With a focus on maximising comfort for both patient and medical worker. A place with a strong sense of belonging for a diverse cultural population of the community. Striking outside, reassuring inside, and harmonious throughout, Maitland Hospital is a place of comfort as well.

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