The $181 million redevelopment project included provision for up to 200 new beds, 10 additional operating theatres, a new Maternity, Women’s Health, and Children’s Unit, an Integrated Cancer Centre, and a new car park, entry and arrivals building.

MBMO were influenced by ‘biophilic design’, a concept used within the building and design industry that aims to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions. The theory is that when patients receive medical treatment, they do so in a calming environment that is connected to nature, aiding the healing process.

KeraTwin ceramic cladding system was selected for this project because of its zero-maintenance factor of the façade, and the ‘clean-air’ benefits the Hytect surface provides.  To elaborate, titanium dioxide is baked onto the ceramic panel surface at high temperature. Activated by light with oxygen and air humidity, the following important functions occur:

1. On the surface of the ceramics, it decomposes microorganisms such as fungi, algae, moss or germs and inhibits their growth. This saves maintenance costs in the life cycle of a building.
2. Air pollutants such as, for example, nitrogen oxides from traffic or industry are reduced. Hytect permanently improves the ambient air of the building. To see exactly how this works click here.
3. Raindrops that fall on the hydrophilic ceramic surface spread to form a thin film and infiltrate the dirt, creating a self-washing effect.

KeraTwin with Hytect, in this way, serves MBMO’s ‘biophilic design’ principle, and in practice contributes positively towards the community’s experience of the facility in terms of health and economic benefits by way of reduced cleaning and maintenance costs.

Completed in 2015, SAH is one of the first major Keratwin façade system projects since the German-made system was launched in Australia. Having visited the hospital this year (2023), we can confirm the ceramic façade panels look as new and as clean as the day they were installed.  Since the SAH project, KeraTwin has been specified on a number of health facility projects around Australia including Macksville Community Hospital.

Architect:

• MBMO Architects

Product:

• System KeraTwin Smooth Spectraview 1200x400mm

Project Type:

• Education & Health

Product Type:

• Ceramic Façade System