Margaret Tobin Medical Centre

Margaret Tobin Medical Centre

The Canberra Hospital Expansion represents the largest healthcare infrastructure initiative undertaken by the ACT Government to date. It is designed to address both current and future health needs in the Territory. This landmark project, designed by BVN Architecture and built by Multiplex, features Australia’s first fully electric hospital building powered entirely by renewable energy. This innovative approach reduces approximately 1,886 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to removing 780 cars from Canberra’s roads each year. The new facility, which spans eight levels and covers 45,000 metres, includes a state-of-the-art Emergency Department, an expanded Intensive Care Unit, and enhanced Perioperative Services. Sustainability was a central theme throughout the project, with the Multiplex team utilising electrified cranes, sourcing a locally made low-carbon concrete mix, and repurposing or salvaging 96% of materials from the previous building's demolition. BVN principal Julian Ashton said the major expansion of Canberra Hospital will “unite healthcare and community in an environmentally-friendly wellbeing-oriented campus. Social Procurement also played a pivotal role in this project, with Decor Systems’ Supply Nation Certification significantly contributing to Multiplex's Indigenous Inclusion targets. Maintaining a serene and peaceful environment is crucial for the well-being of patients and staff in healthcare settings. Decor Systems was integral to the project, supplying a range of aesthetic, highly absorbent, and eco-friendly acoustic panels tailored to various acoustic needs. Waiting areas required acoustics that reduce stress, while reception areas required enhanced sound privacy. The selected combination of Arktura, Zen, Zen Micro, and Vogl panels effectively addressed these diverse acoustic and design needs.