Our vital expansion for Logan Hospital increases clinical capacity and self-sufficiency while mapping out scalable future for this important health hub in South-East Queensland. Logan Hospital is the major health centre for the growth corridor between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and provides a range of specialty services for children and adults. More than 88,000 people present at the Emergency Department each year, making it one of the busiest in the State. Confronted with a rapidly growing population, an ageing community, high levels of social disadvantage and outdated infrastructure, healthcare services were severely stretched. Metro South Health needed more than an upgrade to facilities, it required a multi-stage expansion and precinct renewal strategy to increase both capacity and capability on campus. BVN was engaged in master planning of the $1 billion dollar redevelopment and delivered the architecture, health planning and interior design of Expansion Stage 1 that will bring better treatment options closer to home for residents of the region. Our master plan maps out a viable, phased strategy so Logan Hospital can scale up to meet the current and future needs of its community. The $460 million first phase involved a four-level vertical extension over the existing emergency department and refurbishment of the existing buildings. As well as adding over 200 new beds, the expansion includes a new intensive care unit, imaging, transfer unit, coronary care, older persons unit, education, training and simulation suites, pathology, maintenance workshop and other back of house facilities. Renovations to other existing buildings provide palliative care and expanded mental health care units plus upgraded kitchens and logistics departments. The design provides settings for clinical excellence, an optimised workplace and improved patient and visitor experience – including an elevated ICU terrace garden with hinterland views. Colour is used strategically throughout. On the exterior of the vertical extension, two-tone green sunshades pick up colour accents from the low-rise base building and connect visually to the distant landscape. As another example, soft gold cladding to the walls of an internal light court brightens corridors and wards with reflected light. As well as boosting mood, the colour is picked up in murals of native flora that provide memorable visual cues to assist with wayfinding. Creating welcoming environments for patient-centred care with calming and comfortable conditions – even in the busiest departments – also primes Logan Hospital’s new facilities to attract and retain top health specialists. Construction on this complex brownfield site took place concurrently with that of a large multi-deck car park. With extreme pressure for more clinical space, the project scope was increased to include development under the emergency department, sandwiching it between two active construction faces. Access was maintained to the existing general entry and loading docks, both of which passed through the construction zone. In close collaboration, builder John Holland and BVN successfully planned and managed all works to enable ongoing operations and safe passage for hospital users. By improving self-sufficiency and alleviating pressure on surrounding hospitals, Stage One in the redevelopment makes Logan Hospital the most accessible health hub for patients, visitors and staff of the Logan catchment.