Healthcare Studio
“ I work closely with clients to create flexible healthcare spaces that adapt beautifully, because in medicine, change is constant.”
Stephen Phillips
Studio Principal
Principal, Healthcare Studio
NSW Registration No 4608
Bachelor of Architecture Hons UNSW
Bachelor of Science (Arch) UNSW
Member of Australian Health Design Council
National Committee
Australian Health Design Council
Stephen@imagescape.com.au
With over two decades of specialised healthcare architecture experience, Stephen excels at developing comprehensive project frameworks that anticipate challenges before they become critical issues. His healthcare portfolio spans master planning major health campuses and private hospitals to designing specialist clinics and hospital redevelopments, experience that has honed his ability to navigate the complex regulatory and multi-stakeholder environments that define healthcare projects.
Stephen’s strength lies in collaborative early-phase planning, working closely with clients to establish flexible strategies that accommodate evolving healthcare requirements. His recent portfolio includes master planning major health campuses, specialist HIV clinics, and complex hospital redevelopments, each reinforcing his belief that thorough strategic frameworks prevent major problems throughout project delivery.
Stephen Phillips
Principal, Healthcare Studio
Architect
NSW Registration No 4608
Bachelor of Architecture Hons UNSW
Bachelor of Science (Arch) UNSW
Member of
Australian Health Design Council
National Committee
Australian Health Design Council
Stephen@imagescape.com.au
With over two decades of specialised healthcare architecture experience, Stephen excels at developing comprehensive project frameworks that anticipate challenges before they become critical issues. His healthcare portfolio spans master planning major health campuses and private hospitals to designing specialist clinics and hospital redevelopments, experience that has honed his ability to navigate the complex regulatory and multi-stakeholder environments that define healthcare projects.
Stephen’s strength lies in collaborative early-phase planning, working closely with clients to establish flexible strategies that accommodate evolving healthcare requirements. His recent portfolio includes master planning major health campuses, specialist HIV clinics, and complex hospital redevelopments, each reinforcing his belief that thorough strategic frameworks prevent major problems throughout project delivery.
About the Healthcare Studio
For over two decades, our Healthcare Studio has developed deep specialisation in healthcare architecture, understanding that different healthcare settings operate with fundamentally different requirements. We focus on creating innovative solutions that support outcome-focused operations across the complete healthcare spectrum.
Our expertise ranges from specialist consulting suites and day surgery facilities to diagnostic centres and comprehensive hospital developments. From greenfield sites to complex brownfield integrations within existing commercial buildings, we navigate the unique challenges each project presents with proven technical proficiency.
Major Project Experience
Our portfolio includes some of the region’s most significant healthcare developments. The $320 million Illawarra International Health Precinct represents our largest integrated project, combining a 300-bed private hospital with culturally-specific aged care modules and community health facilities. This project demonstrates our ability to coordinate complex multi-use developments while maintaining distinct operational requirements.
We’ve provided master planning expertise for Prince Alfred Private Hospital’s $130 million development, creating integration strategies with the adjacent public hospital through innovative pedestrian plaza design. At President Private Hospital, we managed the complex staged redevelopment from 45 to 168 beds while maintaining continuous hospital operations—a critical capability that sets us apart in healthcare architecture.
Our specialist facility expertise includes the contemporary a[TEST] HIV clinic in Darlinghurst, where we transformed a heritage building into a welcoming community health environment, and various MRI installations requiring precise technical coordination with existing hospital infrastructure.
Strategic Project Development
We understand that healthcare projects require robust frameworks established from the earliest conceptual phases. Our approach anticipates regulatory complexities, operational workflows, and future adaptability requirements before they become critical issues. This foresight enables seamless project evolution as client needs develop and stakeholder requirements emerge.
Our team works closely with specialised BCA consultants and fire engineers who understand healthcare regulations intimately, achieving innovative compliance solutions that avoid high costs or adverse operational impacts. We know which specialists to engage and when, creating cost-effective project teams tailored to each development’s specific requirements.
Technical Excellence in Complex Environments
Healthcare architecture demands precision in everything from specialised ventilation systems and medical gas installations to infection control protocols and emergency egress planning. We excel at integrating sophisticated medical technology infrastructure while maintaining healing environments that reduce patient anxiety and support clinical excellence.
Whether designing a two-theatre day surgery within a mixed-use development or master planning a major healthcare campus, we balance operational efficiency with patient-centred design principles. Our solutions support both immediate functional needs and long-term strategic positioning.
Boutique Service, Specialist Focus
Unlike larger firms, our healthcare projects receive dedicated attention from experienced specialists throughout the entire process. We don’t allocate junior staff to healthcare projects—every development benefits from senior expertise in healthcare regulations, medical planning, and specialised building systems that define successful healthcare architecture.
Our Healthcare Services
Featured Blog
The Science Behind Age Friendly Design: colour processing and the aging process
When designing healthcare spaces for aged care and dementia care, every decision matters. Recent research from University College London has revealed exactly why colour choices can make or break a patient’s experience – and the findings are reshaping how we approach dementia care design. The Hidden Impact of Colour on Ageing Brains A 2023 UCL study published in Scientific Reports researched colour as we age. They found as we age, our brains become less sensitive to colour saturation, particularly affecting green and magenta hues while preserving blue-yellow processing. Using advanced pupillometry technology, researchers measured how 37 participants’ pupils responded to…
Our Healthcare Clients
