Women and Babies Hospital
Main Entry Artworks

Intent of the artwork

The main entry plaza between the main 12-storey block and the adjoining smaller six-storey block represents a critical “moment of arrival” where two primary pedestrian thoroughfares converge at the hospital’s main entrance. This location is an opportunity for an artwork or series of artworks that may include:

1. Integrated artworks in the soffit of the circular oculus,

2. Integrated artworks in the ground plane,

3. A suspended artwork in the main lobby space and in the family birthing centre lobby,

4. Furniture elements within the main lobby.

The entry plaza functions as both a wayfinding element and a gathering space, marking the transition from the external landscape to the clinical environment. The artworks in these locations are intended to enhance this arrival moment without obstructing pedestrian flow, creating visual interest that reveals itself rather than competing with the spatial experience.

The artwork may include the treatment of the oculus feature in the soffit, a circular opening that will be a major focus point in the space. The oculus is open to the elements, allowing rain to pass through to the ground plane below. As a result, there is an opportunity for the artwork on the ground to be revealed during periods of rain.

The lobby space of the main block presents an opportunity for a major feature suspended artwork. Beneath this suspended work are several seating elements which may also be addressed as part of this commission.

The artworks through these entry spaces should unify the main block, the adjoining building and the interior lobby spaces.

The artworks must be both calming and engaging, with the potential for textured, natural finishes such as weavings or organic and natural forms that reference broader connections to Country and Aboriginal cultural practices.

Cultural content

Artworks in this location may reference a Welcome / Acknowledgement of Country, the significance of Aboriginal women within the community, women’s health, traditional birthing practices and the use of endemic species (for example the Flooded Gum, Paperbark and Sheoak), the importance of water and rainfall, and the Seven Sisters songline.

The artworks in these locations are not restricted to Whadjuk Noongar artists only, however any artists who engage with the cultural themes detailed above must have cultural authority to do so.

Scope

The scope of these artworks includes:

• Manipulating or redesigning the current soffit cladding and ground plane treatments.

• The introduction of new artistic components within the oculus.

• Treatment of the ground plane or introduction of new sculptural, functional or landscaping elements in this location (noting priority of circulation and pedestrian flow).

• The design and fabrication of suspended artworks and furniture elements.

• The artist may choose to manipulate existing specified materials, revise the colours, patterns, or introduce new elements within these spaces.

• The artist/s will be required to work closely with the architectural design team on these commissions, to ensure the proposal complements the design, complies to Australian codes and standards, and is within budget (budget to be provided in next stage of procurement process).

• The artist will be responsible for design only of any integrated components, and the design and fabrication of any new elements introduced into the space (i.e. suspended or fixed artworks, sculptural works, furniture elements).

• For design only components artists will be required to submit a digital file and written  specifications only.