Managing Constraint Without Compromising the Outcome - Eastwood Private Hospital
Eastwood Private Hospital presented a demanding combination of clinical complexity, a constrained urban site and a tightly managed construction programme.
Located on Greenhill Road in Adelaide, the six storey facility brings together six operating theatres, a 51 bed inpatient ward, an onsite CSSD with capacity for future expansion, medical imaging, pathology, retail spaces and four levels of car parking.
Delivering this range of services within a restricted site required more than resolving the building design. It called for early collaboration between HSPC Health Architects, the health provider, BESIX Watpac and the wider consultant team to reconsider the site strategy, coordinate complex services and maintain the project’s clinical and design objectives.
Rethinking the Site Strategy
The restricted Greenhill Road site provided limited space for construction access, material storage and site operations.
Working with BESIX Watpac, the project team reviewed the building arrangement, staging and site logistics to establish a more efficient delivery strategy. One of the most significant changes was the removal of the proposed basement car park.
By reorganising the parking provision within the broader development, the project retained the same number of car spaces without the cost, excavation and construction complexity of a basement.
This collaborative value management process helped bring the project within budget while protecting the hospital’s core clinical requirements and overall design quality.
Reducing Programme and Cost Through Early Planning
Early involvement from the architect, builder and health provider allowed key decisions to be resolved before they became construction issues.
The project team examined the sequence of works, building structure, clinical planning and servicing requirements to identify opportunities for greater efficiency. This process contributed to significant cost savings and reduced the construction programme by six weeks.
Rather than applying isolated cost reductions, the team considered how changes would affect the project as a whole. The aim was to simplify construction and improve delivery without compromising patient care, staff operations or the long term performance of the facility.
Coordinating Complexity Before It Reached Site
Healthcare buildings require extensive mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and medical services, particularly around operating theatres, recovery areas and sterile environments.
At Eastwood, BIM coordination was used to resolve kilometres of ductwork, piping, structural beams and other building services before materials were delivered to site.
This detailed digital coordination allowed potential clashes to be identified and resolved early. It also supported prefabrication, accurate installation and more efficient sequencing within areas where services were particularly congested.
With little space available for material storage or laydown, this level of planning was critical. Materials could arrive when required and move directly into installation, reducing unnecessary handling and helping the construction team work safely within the restricted site.
Planning Around Patients and Staff
The clinical planning was developed through close collaboration between HSPC and the health provider.
Patient, staff, service and supply movements were considered together to create efficient functional flows throughout the hospital. This was particularly important across the perioperative floor, inpatient areas, CSSD, imaging and pathology services, where clear connections and separation between different movement pathways directly influence hospital operations.
The completed planning supports contemporary models of care while allowing the facility to respond to future demand. Provision for CSSD expansion was incorporated into the design, ensuring Eastwood can continue to adapt as clinical requirements evolve.
A Collaborative Approach to Healthcare Delivery
Eastwood Private Hospital demonstrates how complex healthcare projects can be strengthened through early and sustained collaboration.
The architect, health provider, builder and consultant team worked together to resolve site constraints, improve staging, coordinate clinical services and identify practical savings. These decisions supported a six week programme reduction and helped deliver the project within budget without losing sight of the intended healthcare outcome.
One year after opening, Eastwood continues to support clinicians, patients and the wider South Australian community. The project shows that when design, construction and clinical planning are considered together from the outset, even highly constrained healthcare sites can deliver efficient, adaptable and carefully resolved environments.
