Client Brief

Client  Brief

Development    of    the    Old    Royal

Women’s Hospital Site

1           Introduction

The site was first established as the Royal Women’s Hospital in 1858 to serve the needs  of women  unable  to  afford  private  medical  care.  The  Hospital  set  standards  for  medical  and nursing care, and by the end of the 20th   century the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit was among the largest and most sophisticated of any in the nation.

On October 6th  2003 it was announced that a new Women’s hospital would be built nearby, and adjacent to the Royal  Melbourne  Hospital.  Construction  commenced  in 2005,  and  following completion all services were relocated to the new site in 2008.

The hospital has maintained close relations with the University of Melbourne, conducting many partnerships in the avenues of research, academics and training. The University  hope to pay recognition to this relationship in the new development of the site.

2           Purpose

This  Client  Brief  has  been  prepared  by  Genevieve  Tessier,  Lachie  Cohen,  Lukas  Pacini, Andrew Pretto, Nick Moffat with contributions from Melbourne University project stakeholders.

The purpose of this Brief is to identify the stakeholders’ vision and high level requirements for the  new  building. It  addresses  the  fundamental  functional  and  servicing  aspects  that  are required to be included in the design of the building.

It is intended to focus the design on what is important to the project stakeholders.

It also provides information on policy, guidelines and standards that apply to this project.

3           Scope

The scope of this brief includes:

•                The Client’s strategic vision

•                High level functional descriptions to provide context for design

•                Important considerations to be accommodated in the design of the building

•                Information on relevant policy, guidelines and standards

•                Building occupancy

The   scope   does   not   attempt   to   provide   a   detailed   User   Requirements   Specification. Consultants are required to consult with nominated Melbourne Univrsity staff to identify specific user requirements related to functionality, operability and design features.

  

4           Key Objectives

The key objectives for the new facility have been identified as follows:

•                World class research laboratories

•                Suitable support areas for academic staff

•                State of the art communication and collaboration technology

•                Highly flexible, reconfigurable, intuitive space

•                Creation of an internal environment that:

•       enables and inspires collaboration between disciplines, organisations and continents

•       integrates innovation into the day to day psychology and experience of building occupants and visitors

•                Sustainable, safe, high performance carbon positive building

•                Iconic and memorable building

•                Impressive façade upon approach from Swanston St

•                Acknowledgement of history of site and heritage of the University

Secondary objectives include the provision of supporting car parking area and retail space.

5           Strategic Vision

The new facility will create a platform for excellence in future research, teaching and  learning supported by platforms for global research and teaching collaboration through  state-of-the art technology. The facility will continue the growth of the second-largest research organisation in Australia, adding  to  the  already  100+  strong  research  centres  and  institutes  owned  by  the University. It will allow for the efficient use of major facilities already located in the area including the Peter Doherty Institute, the Melbourne Brain Centre and Bio21 institute, further establishing the precinct as a significant research and innovation hub of the pacific.

Researchers will be supported by innovative and world-leading platforms for global  research and teaching collaboration through state-of-the-art e-Research and e-Education technologies.

6           Key Stakeholders

Stakeholder	Role
Melbourne University VC	Sponsor
Melbourne University Academic Staff	Building User
Melbourne Unviersity Students	Building User
Melbourne University Maintenance	Building Operator
Melbourne            University           Facilities Management	Represents University’s interests in relation to provision of back of house services
Melbourne University Office of Environmental Sustainability	Represents   the   University’s   interests   in relation to sustainability
Melbourne University Strategic Planning & Development	Represents   the   University’s   interests   in relation    to     strategic    development     and master planning of the campus
Melbourne       University     Capital     Works Branch	Accountable for project delivery
Department of Health	Represents  the  Government’s  interests  in property & project delivery
Local community representatives	Represents the interests and values of the local community