Maroondah Mental Health Unit, Victoria

The Maroondah Mental Health Unit is designed in two stages of two 25 bed inpatient units. The units are newly completed and adjacent to and incorporating the existing Maroondah Hospital, with Stage 1 complete. The existing building has been refurbished for the entry and office accommodation. Courtyards have been introduced into the central core of each unit, to provide natural light to bedrooms, offices and visual access to external areas. The overall image is contemporary, with a mixture of textures and materials used to create movement and interest to a linear single storey façade. Staging construction minimised disruption to the current hospital, and avoided reduction in mental health beds stage 1. This resulted in a hub and spoke design of 2 x 25 beds units, allowing the 1st unit to be built and occupied prior to starting demolition of an existing inpatient building. "The architect’s use of natural light, feature seating and paneling, and excellent use of external gardens for patient enjoyment have been praised by those who see the new facilities" Karen Fox, Capital Projects Manager, Eastern Health.