Djiringanj people of the Yuin Nation
New South Wales
Regional
After a devastating fire, the story of the 1888 Old Bega Hospital’s reconstruction is founded on community resilience. Following the hospital’s closure in 1957, it was used for various purposes before being embraced by the community in 1985. In 2004, a fire destroyed most of the old hospital, leaving only the brick walls, chimneys, and remnants of the roof, floors, and joinery.
After a decade of community fundraising, Design 5 – Architects were appointed in 2020. Establishing the blueprint for the hospital’s rebuild, work was carried out by local firm Leser Build in 2023-24.
The original fabric was preserved where possible, and reconstruction was guided by documentary and site evidence. Through a transformative, yet sensitive approach, the building now includes compliant access, upgraded amenities and services, a community kitchen, and multipurpose spaces. Remnants of the fire-damaged fabric are retained and incorporated into the building’s ongoing use as a valuable community facility.
When a fire damaged most of the Old Bega Hospital in 2004, the community groups housed there came together to raise funds and engage professionals to fulfill their shared vision of conservation and reconstruction. The strength of the collaborations formed is evident in the clarity of direction during the long, complex process.
The built interventions are subtle yet have great impact in terms of the accessibility of the spaces, their compliance and future resilience. Services and infrastructure enable wider community uses. The works align with best practice Burra Charter principles and technical compliance but introduce a sense of playfulness in the reinterpretation of historic joinery moulding profiles in new compliant glazed door systems. The remnant fire damaged walls tell a chapter in the story of this place, layered with those of the hospital, school and community, and providing a setting for new, future stories.
The response from the community to the design and execution of the Restoration of the OBH has been extraordinary; amongst the locals whose families and friends have a long-term association with the OBH, visitors to the region and those who use the OBH as the Regional Community Cultural Hub as their base or for events, workshops and meetings. It reflects the stories to be told of those who worked and lived in the building, serving as a 'memory cathedral' preserving the echoes of past lives and experiences. The spaces invite reflection, remembrance, creativity and imagination. A place to make stories.
NSW Public Works, Project Manager
Structure Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
Lucid Consulting Australia, Services Consultant
Tasman Engineering Consultants, Civil Consultant
Bylett + Associates, Quantity Surveyor
AI Consultancy, Access Consultant
Complete Certification, BCA Consultant
Sibling Architecture, Architect up to Development Application