The new five-storey Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building has won Queensland’s most prestigious award for public architecture, earning recognition for a community-focused design developed through close consultation with First Nations people.
The project received the esteemed FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture at the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Awards ceremony. In addition to the premier honour, the building was also awarded this year’s Social Impact Prize and received a commendation for its interior architecture.
A Design for the Community
The awards jury praised the building for achieving an outstanding “integration of community, culture and clinical health services.” A key factor in its success was the deep consultation with the local First Nations community, which shaped the final design.
Jonathan Goh, co-chair of the Institute’s Queensland chapter, stated that the architects at the development company Jacobs did a remarkable job of breaking down what can often be a large and intimidating hospital environment. He noted that the design makes the facility feel more approachable and welcoming for patients and their families. This approach brings the local landscape and character into the heart of the hospital.
Major Boost for Local Health Services
The award-winning building is the centrepiece of the Queensland Government’s $400 million Caboolture Hospital Redevelopment, part of a state-wide Building Better Hospitals programme. The government invested $352.9 million specifically for the new clinical services building.
This major upgrade provides residents with a significantly expanded Emergency Department and numerous new or enhanced specialised units. These include a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit, a 10-bed Palliative Care Unit, a 14-bed Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit, and an 8-bed Cardiac Care Unit. The project also adds two new operating theatres and a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit, directly improving the community’s access to critical health infrastructure.
Significance of the Honour
The FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture is considered a premier honour in the state, celebrating projects that enrich the public realm. The award is named for Francis Drummond Greville Stanley, who served as the Queensland Colonial Architect from 1872 to 1881 and designed many of the state’s most significant historical buildings. This recognition places the Caboolture Hospital project among Queensland’s most impactful public structures.
Published Date 01-July-2025
Photo Credit: Australian Institute of Architects/ Facebook
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