2026 So Far: Progress Across Practice, Leadership and Healthcare Delivery

Over the past 6 months, HSPC has opened its new Melbourne studio, continued its work at Cabrini Malvern, progressed major clinical upgrades within a live hospital environment and welcomed Lauren O’Donnell as Partner.

The focus has remained clear: supporting healthcare clients with considered design, practical delivery and environments that work for patients, clinicians and staff.

A New Studio Base at 419 Collins Street

One of the key practice milestones this year has been the move to HSPC’s new Melbourne studio at 419 Collins Street.

The building brings together history, architectural character and renewed purpose. For a practice focused on healthcare environments, the move also reflects a broader approach to design that values longevity, adaptability and the careful reworking of existing places.

The new studio provides a more considered base for the team and a welcoming setting for clients, collaborators and project partners. It also supports the way HSPC works across complex project environments, where close collaboration and clear communication are central to delivery.

Cabrini Malvern Continues to Evolve

The Next Era redevelopment builds on a site wide masterplan prepared by HSPC and supports the continued expansion and improvement of healthcare services at Malvern. The East Building forms a key part of this vision, helping to create a more connected campus with improved access, clearer movement and expanded clinical capacity, responding to growing demand for specialised clinical services, including cardiac, orthopaedic and palliative care.

As the project progresses, the work continues to balance long term campus planning with the needs of a fully operational hospital environment.

Clinical Works Progress Within a Live Hospital

Alongside the broader campus redevelopment, HSPC’s work on the new operating theatres and recovery spaces at Cabrini has also advanced.

Forming the second stage of major works within the site wide masterplan, the redevelopment will deliver four new operating theatres, capacity for an additional future theatre, three new endoscopy procedure rooms, a new cath lab suite and expanded recovery environments to significantly increase day surgery capacity.

A key part of the project has been planning the works around the ongoing operation of the hospital. In collaboration with Cabrini and Kingdom Projects, the redevelopment has been carefully staged to protect existing services and support continuity of care throughout construction.

With the final phase of work nearing completion, including the new admission area, the project is set to strengthen both clinical operations and the patient experience at Cabrini Malvern.

Leadership Strengthened With Lauren O’Donnell Appointed Partner

This year also marked an important leadership milestone for the practice, with Lauren O’Donnell appointed as Partner.

Since joining HSPC eight years ago, Lauren has contributed to the design and delivery of high quality healthcare environments across the practice. Her appointment as Partner and shareholder recognises her leadership, client focused approach and long standing contribution to HSPC.

Lauren will continue to work closely with the Directors and senior leadership team, including newly appointed Directors Matthew Szymula and Stephen Sinclair, as the practice continues to support healthcare clients across Australia.

Managing Director Chris Doufas said the appointment reflects both Lauren’s professional excellence and her contribution to the culture and future of the practice.

A Completed Diagnostic Clinic in Richmond

The completion of Imaging Associates’ new Richmond clinic marked another important project milestone for HSPC.

Transforming an existing building, the project delivers a purpose built diagnostic facility designed to support high performance imaging services in a clear and efficient clinical environment.

The clinic brings advanced imaging services together within a carefully planned setting that supports patients, clinicians and long term operations. It also reflects the value of reworking existing buildings to meet the needs of contemporary healthcare delivery.

The Next Chapter of the Year

With several projects now advancing through important stages, the remainder of the year brings a continued focus on turning planning into completed outcomes. For HSPC, this means supporting clients through the detail of healthcare delivery, where operational continuity, technical coordination and user experience all need to be carefully balanced. It is this detailed, steady work that will define the next phase of the year.