The Ballarat Base Hospital is undergoing one of the most significant regional hospital redevelopments in Victoria. Once complete, the $595 million project will deliver a world-class healthcare facility that serves the growing needs of the Ballarat community and surrounding regions.
Project
Ballarat Base Hospital Redevelopment
Client
Lyons Architects
Collaborators
John Holland
Location
Ballarat, VIC, Australia
Size
Project Build Cost
Focus
Wayfinding, User Experience, Experiential Design
Working with Lyons, Humanics Collective is providing the wayfinding strategy for the redevelopment. Our role is to ensure the hospital experience is clear, calm, and intuitive for all who visit—patients, families, visitors, and staff.
With construction staged over several years and across multiple buildings, this is a complex environment to navigate. Our approach focuses on simplifying journeys across the hospital precinct by creating a logical, scalable wayfinding system that accommodates phased delivery and future growth.
The project includes a new multi-level tower with operating theatres, emergency department, women and children’s services, and a new helipad, as well as expanded services in existing buildings. The wayfinding framework is designed to support this complexity by creating clear spatial hierarchies, intuitive naming, and integrated information points throughout.
We are also addressing legacy challenges from older parts of the site, bringing consistency to the overall campus and helping users transition smoothly between old and new facilities.
As this is a multi-year program, we’ve also developed a temporary signage system to guide users through the ongoing changes. This system clearly signals “Work in Progress,” helping people navigate current routes confidently and avoid relying on outdated or existing signage. It’s a vital part of maintaining clarity and safety throughout the redevelopment.
Alongside the wayfinding, we are developing a range of environmental graphics inspired by local flora and fauna. These will enrich the hospital experience by connecting users to place and creating a more welcoming, human-centred environment.
