Conrad Gargett-designed modular hospital opens in Broken Hill

The Conrad Gargett-designed Broken Hill Community Health Centre has opened to the public.

The design of the two-storey fully-integrated centre was informed by Broken Hill’s heritage and topography, according to the architect.

Broken Hill has a significant mining history, and its heart lies parallel to the mining Line of Lode. For these reasons the design was careful to maintain the texture, scale and feel of the city, as well as relate the building by pointing it towards the Line of Lode.

Modular construction was selected for the project to improve quality and scheduling in the construction process. This is because modular construction saves on importing trades which exceed the regional city’s resources.

“Forty-two modules that form the Broken Hill Community Health Centre were constructed off-site in Toowoomba in Queensland, and were transported to their permanent location in Broken Hill. This is where the modules were reassembled, and all the services connections and internal finishes were completed,” says Lawrence Toaldo, managing director of Conrad Gargett.

“Conrad Gargett envisages that modular hospital construction will become a more widespread method of hospital delivery, not only for its regional benefits but also to enable rapid response to changing hospital needs in the future.

“Modular construction benefits from trade expertise within the catchment of a major urban centre, has less site disruption, allows for good competition in supply networks, prevents workers from separating with their families for long durations, and provides flexibility by uniform set out and standardised room rounding.”