Catherine’s House | Architectus Conrad Gargett

The Architectus Conrad Gargett health and heritage teams have reimagined the historic 1920s convent at Mater Hill in South Brisbane into Queensland’s largest and most comprehensive integrated perinatal mental healthcare facility. Catherine’s House for Mothers, Babies and Families, located in the heart of Mater’s South Brisbane l campus, was created in response to the pressing need for perinatal mental healthcare support in the region.

Catherine’s House includes ten suites designed to be homely spaces offering separate lounge areas with adjoining baby room while also meeting high level clinical requirements. The design fosters interaction among mothers with shared lounge and dining areas, as well as a large secure outdoor courtyard.

The project successfully retained, reused and celebrated the cultural heritage significance of the former convent and importantly, enabled change to integrate contemporary building services, meet current certification requirements and provide a meaningful home for postnatal mental healthcare in South East Queensland.