Blending care, design, and functionality at the Jugarrbaajing mental health unit at Cairns Hospital

At a Glance

  • $84.3M

    Construction Value

Location
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Offices
Client
  • Cairns & Hinterland
  • Hospital and Health Service
  • Hutchinson Builders
Architect
ThomsonAdsett

Cairns New Mental Health Inpatient and Community Facility

Mental health care is about more than treatment—it’s about creating spaces that support healing and recovery. The newly opened Jugarrbaajing mental health facility at Cairns Hospital reflects this philosophy, blending therapeutic design with medical functionality to provide a calming and supportive environment. Named after the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji phrase for “unsettled mind,” the facility houses 53 beds, including 10 for intensive care.

We helped bring this vision to life, delivering building services design that supports both the clinical and human needs of the space. We focused on integrating technical requirements with features that foster well-being, from sensory gardens and safe outdoor spaces to bay windows that draw in natural light. The facility also includes a gymnasium, therapy areas, and an occupational therapy kitchen, recognising that recovery extends beyond medical treatment.

This project reimagines the traditional clinical setting, creating a place where patients, families, and healthcare professionals can connect in a supportive environment. The new mental health unit is a step towards a more holistic approach to care—one that balances medical treatment with spaces designed to heal both body and mind.

At a Glance

  • $84.3M

    Construction Value

Location
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Offices
Client
  • Cairns & Hinterland
  • Hospital and Health Service
  • Hutchinson Builders
Architect
ThomsonAdsett

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