Health Minister Dr David Clark says leading architects Warren and Mahoney have been awarded the major design contract for the New Dunedin Hospital.

“It’s great to have Warren and Mahoney on board as part of the project team. They’re New Zealand’s largest architectural firm and have a wealth of experience in designing hospitals,” said David Clark.

Health Minister Dr David Clark has announced Warren and Mahoney as lead architects for the New Dunedin Hospital project

“The team is supported by international health planning and architecture firm HDR and Dunedin architects McCoy Wixon.

“Hospitals provide critical services to their local communities, so it’s important we have local input into the design, as well as international expertise.

“Building on the work by CCM Architects, Warren and Mahoney are testing a number of new options as part of the design process, but more work is needed before final decisions are made early next year.

“It’s important the time is taken to get this right. Dunedin’s new hospital will be the most modern tertiary hospital in New Zealand and will serve the people of the South for decades to come.

“While the new hospital will be bigger than the current one, it will probably be smaller than was first thought.

“There will be much improved clinical capacity and room for future expansion if necessary, although we also expect to see further use of digital technology to support more care being provided closer to home.

“The new hospital will also have a large impact on Dunedin’s CBD and will create many opportunities for the local community,” said David Clark.

The Wilson’s parking site acquisition is currently being signed by both parties and is expected to be completed shortly.

The Ministry of Health is also in final negotiations with the preferred demolition contractor. Staged demolition works are on track to start in March 2020 following the appropriate consents.