Architect: Jasmax Architects and McConnel Smith & Johnson Architects
Client: Southland District Health Board
Budget: NZD$75M (construction)
Opened: September 2004
    
The  range of services provided by the Southland Hospital includes a 24-hour emergency department, acute medical and surgical, outpatient clinics, day procedures, comprehensive ancillary facilities including laboratory, medical imaging diagnostics, specialist neonatal, paediatric, maternity, rehabilitation, therapy (gymnasium, indoor pool) and audiology services.
The complexity and location of this project required very close and continuous liaison with the design team and builders to ensure the client's brief, timeline and quality were met, whilst introducing cost savings wherever possible.
Acoustical input covered all project phases.  Some of the acoustic design features are:

• Design of building envelope to control noise from traffic, helicopters and mechanical plant.
• Treatment of Entry, reception and lift lobby to reduce reverberant build up of noise.
• Provision of carpet to non-clinical spaces and corridors to reduce impact noise and improve acoustics in these busy areas.
• Speech privacy and sound insulation design so that confidential communications and hospital activities can proceed without hinderance (i.e. consultation, theatres, interview, tutorial, maternity wards).
• Sound insulation design for control of noise from lifts, plantrooms and adjacent services spaces to assist with patient rest, sleep and recuperation.
• Design, detailing, construction review and commissioning of 4 'free field' audiology rooms located with the hospital.

The successful commissioning measurements along with the favourable comments received, are recognition that the acoustics of this new hospital have been a success.