Honouring 'Country' in the new Rouse Hill Hospital design
How consultation workshops with Local Dharug people have helped inform the design of the new Rouse Hill Hospital.
A series of Connecting with Country workshops have been held, bringing together local Dharug people, architects, planning and design teams to ensure the Rouse Hill Hospital reflects and respects Dharug cultural values and knowledge.
These important gatherings create space for meaningful dialogue, allowing Traditional Custodians to share stories, knowledge, and priorities that will shape the hospital’s design in a culturally sensitive and inclusive way.
Discussions have centred on embedding Country into the built environment—honouring significant landscapes, incorporating healing spaces, and using materials and art that reflect Dharug culture. Participants emphasised the importance of designing spaces that foster connection, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging for Aboriginal consumers, families, and staff.
The design team used exercises to demonstrate how asking questions of architectural drawings can lead to deep discussions about cultural matters. They also presented approaches to visibility, accessibility and potential cultural practice within design.
The group noted the relationship between internal and external spaces including the natural environment, how cultural practices could be better supported, and how spaces could be more inclusive.
Consultation included a discussion on the Aboriginal Family Lounge. Two possible locations of the lounge were presented to the group. The importance of having a combination of communal and private spaces and easy access to the outdoors was noted, along with play areas for children including educational games and giant chess.
These workshops build on a Connecting with Country framework created for the Rouse Hill Hospital development, informed by the experiences and knowledge of Aboriginal people with a relationship to Country.
As part of this process, it was recognised that the design must hold space to support Dharug cultural practices and provide cultural safety as Traditional Owners in the place of Rouse Hill Hospital.
The Rouse Hill Hospital team will continue to work with Traditional Custodians and local Aboriginal people throughout the evolution of the hospital planning and design process.