Fremantle Hospital Mental Health Unit
Overview
The Fremantle Hospital Mental Health Unit is Western Australia’s first 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Centre. The $88.1 million expansion was delivered in collaboration with the Department of Housing & Works and South Metropolitan Health Service. Covering more than 4,500m² across three floor plates, it adds 40 mental health beds, increasing the hospital’s inpatient mental health capacity by more than 60 per cent.
Corian® was used in two applications that respond to different needs within the facility. Custom Mental Health Basins in Corian® Glacier White support safety and everyday care, while sculptural Collaboration Hubs in Corian® River Pearl create opportunities for connection between consumers and staff.
The Brief
The design sought to challenge the institutional character of secure mental health environments, balancing technical safety requirements with dignity, comfort and human connection.
The basins needed to combine a bowl, bench, shelving and concealed plumbing within one integrated fixture. Smooth transitions, generous radii, ligature-resistant detailing and minimal opportunities for tampering were essential. The design also needed to meet AS 1428.1 accessibility requirements and accommodate straight walls, conventional corners and asymmetric rooms.
In the shared spaces, staff workstations needed to support informal interaction rather than form a hard barrier between staff and consumers. Their forms had to complement the project’s biophilic design approach while accommodating staff functions, accessible seating and tables.
Material Specification
Mental Health Basins: Corian® Glacier White
Purpose-designed with the project user group, each basin combines a curved bowl, bench, concealed plumbing and integrated two-tier shelving within one continuous Corian® Glacier White form. Radiused edges and vandal-resistant fixings support the fixture’s safety-focused detailing.
Seamless fabrication brings these elements together in an integrated fixture designed to comply with AS 1428.1. Corian®’s non-porous, repairable surface supports the cleaning and maintenance demands of a healthcare setting, while Glacier White provides a visually simple finish.
Collaboration Hubs: Corian® River Pearl
Corian® River Pearl accommodates the generous curves and continuous surfaces of the Collaboration Hubs. Each Hub brings together staff functions, accessible consumer-facing seating, tables and space for informal interaction.
River Pearl adds subtle movement to the larger forms, complementing timber-look finishes, patterned upholstery and the wider interior palette. Both applications were developed through collaboration, prototyping and refinement with the project user group.
Design Outcome
The Mental Health Basins resolve specialised requirements within a calm, functional form. Integrated shelving, concealed plumbing and smooth transitions reduce visual complexity while supporting everyday use. Following prototyping and testing, the basin design has also been used at Royal Perth Hospital Ward 2K and Bentley Hospital.
The Collaboration Hubs provide a more expressive counterpart. Their flowing Corian® River Pearl forms sit beneath circular timber-look aluminium ceiling features, alongside curved floor patterns and colour. Upholstery featuring Marrunga Yubaa Sweet Rain Original by Lizzy Stageman adds a connection to Country.
Integrated seating, accessible approaches and smaller tables make each Hub a recognisable gathering point within its ward, softening the character of a conventional institutional workstation.
Why It Works for Similar Projects
Mental health and healthcare environments need to address safety, accessibility and hygiene while remaining dignified and welcoming. This approach offers a reference for:
- Custom basins incorporating ligature-resistant detailing
- Integrated fixtures designed to meet accessibility requirements
- Basin configurations for straight walls, corners and asymmetric rooms
- Staff workstations that support informal interaction
- Collaboration hubs with integrated seating and tables
- Fixture designs developed for use across multiple healthcare sites
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