To create a seamless continuum of care for mental health patients of all ages, Nepean Hospital wanted to further develop their facilities to support better access to specialised care and strengthen connections between services for children, youth, and adults. Our team provided sustainability services from planning through construction for an extension that links the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services facility to the existing Adult Mental Health Unit.
We led the sustainability strategy, assessment, and multidisciplinary coordination needed to achieve the project's targeted 45-point rating under Health Infrastructure NSW's Environmental Sustainable Development Evaluation Tool. We recommended practical solutions that enhance both environmental performance and occupant comfort from the outside in.
High solar reflectance roofing improves thermal performance by reducing heat absorption, while energy-efficient LED lighting enhances comfort and reduces energy use. Lower-carbon construction materials, including concrete mixes with 35 percent less cement content, reduce embodied carbon. Water-efficient fixtures and smart irrigation systems further reduce demand on valuable water resources.
Designed to support recovery and wellbeing, the extension provides a calm, therapeutic environment with 10 new patient bedrooms, specialist treatment areas, quiet rooms, assessment spaces, dining facilities, and accommodation for carers. Delivering more than expanded healthcare capacity, the facility provides a welcoming environment that supports healing, strengthens mental health services, and will give the community access to sustainable, high-quality care for years to come.
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