Women and Babies Hospital
Fiona Stanley Hospital precinct
Main Entry Artworks
Intent of the artwork
The Main Entry Plaza 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:
Integrated artworks in the ground plane,
Integrated artworks in the soffit of the circular oculus,
A suspended artwork in the main lobby space and in the Family Birthing Centre Lobby,
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 this location 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 canvas 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 main lobby space 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 two building forms (Women and Babies Hospital and the companion building) and the interior lobby space.
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 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.
Artists engaging with these cultural themes must have cultural authority to do so.
Scope
These opportunities may be awarded to one or several artists/artist teams. The scope of these artworks includes:
Manipulating or redesigning the current cladding, soffit 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 design team on these commissions, to ensure the proposal complements the design, is feasible and within budget.
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).
Images are indicative only.
Images are indicative only.