Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital wins 30th award

The Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital designed by Billard Leece Partnership and Bates Smart has received its 30th award, with a win at the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) 2012 Global Excellence Awards.

The Hospital won the Best of Competition category and was chosen from projects submitted in ten practice areas, including: Corporate Space Large, Corporate Space Small, Cultural/Institutional/Educational, Healthcare, Hotels, Municipal/Public Spaces, Residences, Restaurants, Retail and Spas/Fitness/Wellness Centres.

The $1billion building has been praised consistently for the holistic approach to health through incorporating research on the impact of architecture on human behaviour, especially in hospital buildings.

The building and surrounds include an aquarium, windows that allow daylight into the building, meditative gardens, staff break-out spaces, parking for 500 bicycles, a meerkat enclosure, water retaining and recycling technology and an abundance of artwork.

The judges for the awards were Nada Andric from Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM); Lewis Goetz of FIIDA Leo A Daly; Patrick McEneany from BMW Group Designworks USA; Larry Traxler from Hilton Worldwide.

The announcement was made at a presentation during the Maison&Objet show in Paris on January 19.