Sandra Stewart is Buchan’s new Health and Wellbeing Sector Leader, with the experienced architect to oversee the practice’s ever-growing health team.
Working across health and mixed-use for over three decades, Stewart will utilise her expertise to craft outstanding design outcomes across the public and private health sectors. Upon joining the practice, Stewart says she was drawn to the role by the opportunity to affirm Buchan’s position as a health sector leader in both Australia and New Zealand.
"The evolution of health is exciting - where it's headed, what the possibilities are and how many different sectors are aligning to make health projects a success," she says.
"Health facilities are becoming ‘town centres’ in themselves because of the scale and the combination of public and private coming together. Health is about well-being, and the campus model presents boundless opportunities to serve local communities.
“There's retail coming on board; village greens and playgrounds; and the new health hubs are looking for niches in the market where they can supplement the public and private offerings."
Stewart prides herself on her ability to work across all facets of design and delivery, including feasibility studies, acute health, community health and mixed-use/retail developments. Buchan believes she is well placed to lead large, multi-disciplinary teams on complex projects, as well as working alongside stakeholders.
Stewart was recently the Project Director for two major hospitals, the $658m Sydney Children’s Hospital and Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre, and the $619m Westmead Children’s Hospital. Acclaimed projects overseen by Stewart include the $150m Wollongong Central, $220m Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and $250m Rouse Hill Town Centre.
Buchan CEO Stephen Auld says he is delighted to welcome Stewart to the practice.
"Sandra's high-level management, commercial and technical skills will be pivotal to the stewardship of our health team as we pursue opportunities in that sector. She will also support Buchan's next generation of design practitioners to pursue design excellence."
Image: Supplied
