Major projects for dwp/suters

The Newcastle office of award winning architects dwp|suters has been working on a wide range of projects that helping to change the face of the Hunter.

Some of the major recent projects have included:

• John Hunter Children's Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

Medical services for critically ill children are greatly improved with the development of a dedicated paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital (JHCH); a tertiary referral paediatric hospital which provides complex medical, surgical, major trauma and neonatal care services. Connection to the existing ICU is via bridge links across a light court which maintains natural light to existing rooms. This $14 million project initially provides eight specialist paediatric care beds with support services in a dedicated extension to the existing John Hunter Hospital intensive care unit. In stage two the building is planned for expansion to twelve beds by relocating of a number of the stage one support services while the lower level is planned for critical care linked to both the emergency and imaging departments.

• eighteen honeysuckle drive

dwp|suters has designed this new $38 million office tower for Doma Group; prominent Canberra property developers. The new building is designed to embrace the community and environment, and to enhance flexibility and business productivity. dwp|suters collaborated with Doma Group to realise their vision for a building that adapts to business demand in the future and meets the requirements of changing workplace activity in a prestigious business setting. The commission included preparing masterplanning options for varying mix and yield configurations.

The design has an impressive building identity and street presence and takes advantage of the spectacular waterfront views. Featuring premium amenities to all office floors, the building is designed with sustainability credentials to achieve 4.5 Nabers and 5 star Greenstar GBCA ratings.

• Opal Hillside

Opal Specialist Aged Care (formerly Domain Principal Group) commissioned dwp|suters to design a new residential aged care facility at their Hillside site located in Mt Hutton. The $21 million development establishes a new four level purpose-built residential aged care home offering specific dementia care on the ground level and ageing in place care across the upper levels. The introduction of the new stand-alone 128 bed facility sees the site move towards a campus style approach, offering a range of single and companion rooms, assisted and independent living units accommodating over 230 residents.

• Arena

Stronach Property’s Arena is spectacularly located to the west of Newcastle beach, within easy walking distance of the Newcastle CBD. dwp|suters’ competition winning design for the 15 storey, $55 million Arena development provides for an integrated residential and hospitality development with 150 residential apartments and 100 hotel keys, plus foyer, restaurant, bar and function spaces. dwp|suters’ design for Arena establishes a landscaped podium with a common entrance level for the three distinct apartment blocks and the hotel.

The planning allows for a variety of two bedroom, one bedroom and studio apartments rising above the podium and over the eight storey hotel. The design provides the final component to the revitalisation of the beachside former Royal Hospital site.