A Connected, Healing Environment   

The design for Rouse Hill Hospital, led by HDR on behalf of Health Infrastructure and the Western Sydney Local Health District, represents a bold vision for healthcare in Sydney’s northwest — a region defined by rapid growth, youthful demographics, and evolving community needs. Set on a greenfield site, the project offers a rare opportunity to craft a purpose-built hospital from the ground up, guided by evidence, community input, and a strong sense of connection.  

Designing for People First   

At the heart of the design is a user-centric approach — one that places patients, families, clinicians and community members at the centre of every decision. Spatial planning is straightforward and intuitive, allowing users to navigate with ease through clear sightlines, natural light, and logical zoning. Public areas are welcoming and legible, while clinical spaces are designed for functionality and flexibility. The hospital is envisioned as a place of healing and wellbeing, where inside and outside merge in a public arcade that serves as a central point of entry for patients, visitors, and staff. It’s a place where care is connected — digitally, spatially and socially — linking acute and ambulatory services into a seamless experience, both within the hospital through virtual care.  

Embedding Culture and Country   

The hospital’s form and materiality are inspired by the surrounding geology and ecology, reflecting a deep connection to site and place that is expressed not just symbolically, but spatially. Design elements bring nature inside, integrating landscape and fresh air to benefit both patients and staff. A variety of interior and exterior spaces accommodate diverse user needs, offering opportunities for gathering, reflection, and healing within a landscape thoughtfully crafted to celebrate and respond to the changing seasons.  

Purpose-Built, Digitally Enabled    

Digital enablement is a cornerstone of the design. Informed by research from Macquarie University, the hospital extends care beyond the physical walls and into the community.   

The hospital’s layout supports efficient workflows, adaptable care environments, and rapid response capabilities. Emergency and primary care precincts are co-located for seamless triage, while inpatient units are designed with modularity in mind, allowing for future expansion and evolving care models.  

A Collaborative Journey   

The design of Rouse Hill Hospital is the result of a deeply collaborative process. Every perspective has contributed to shaping a schematic design that is not only clinically robust but also socially and culturally responsive. Through this inclusive approach, the hospital has been carefully crafted to meet the diverse needs of its users, balancing operational efficiency with human-centred design, and embedding a sense of place, community, and wellbeing throughout the facility.