Skip to main content
Start of main content

Blending care, design, and functionality at the Jugarrbaajing mental health unit at Cairns Hospital

At a Glance

  • $84.3M

    Construction Value

Location
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Offices
Client
  • Cairns & Hinterland
  • Hospital and Health Service
  • Hutchinson Builders
Architect
ThomsonAdsett

Cairns New Mental Health Inpatient and Community Facility

Mental health care is about more than treatment—it’s about creating spaces that support healing and recovery. The newly opened Jugarrbaajing mental health facility at Cairns Hospital reflects this philosophy, blending therapeutic design with medical functionality to provide a calming and supportive environment. Named after the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji phrase for “unsettled mind,” the facility houses 53 beds, including 10 for intensive care.

We helped bring this vision to life, delivering building services design that supports both the clinical and human needs of the space. We focused on integrating technical requirements with features that foster well-being, from sensory gardens and safe outdoor spaces to bay windows that draw in natural light. The facility also includes a gymnasium, therapy areas, and an occupational therapy kitchen, recognizing that recovery extends beyond medical treatment.

This project reimagines the traditional clinical setting, creating a place where patients, families, and healthcare professionals can connect in a supportive environment. The new mental health unit is a step towards a more holistic approach to care—one that balances medical treatment with spaces designed to heal both body and mind.

At a Glance

  • $84.3M

    Construction Value

Location
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Offices
Client
  • Cairns & Hinterland
  • Hospital and Health Service
  • Hutchinson Builders
Architect
ThomsonAdsett

Meet Our Team

Patrick Chambers, Director, Mechanical Project Technical Lead, Australian Discipline Leader

My years abroad give me a broad mechanical skillset, enabling me to blend practicality and innovation into technical problem solving.
Patrick Chambers Director, Mechanical Project Technical Lead, Australian Discipline Leader Read More

Karim Shehab, Associate Director, Specialty Services Group Leader, QLD

I’m passionate about applying innovating methods to problem solving, fault finding, and design-led thinking to achieve design optimization.
Karim Shehab Associate Director, Specialty Services Group Leader, QLD Read More

Andrew Williams, Corporate Sustainability Regional Leader, Asia-Pacific

My mission is to drive positive change across Stantec’s corporate sustainability programs in our Asia-Pacific region.
Andrew Williams Corporate Sustainability Regional Leader, Asia-Pacific Read More

Patrick Chambers

Director, Mechanical Project Technical Lead, Australian...

Karim Shehab

Associate Director, Specialty Services Group Leader,...

Andrew Williams

Corporate Sustainability Regional Leader, Asia-Pacific

We’re better together

  • Become a client

    Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You’re exactly what’s needed to help us make it happen in your community.

  • Design your career

    Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.

End of main content
To top