Erica Seccombe's art strategy leadership with Billard Leece Partnership’s (BLP) delivery of the Campbelltown Hospital Redevelopment project has received international acclaim, receiving top accolades for Mental Health Design and Interior Design & the Arts at the European Healthcare Design Awards.

A major project involving Dr Erica Seccombe has just won two European Healthcare Design Awards for Mental Health Design and Interior Design & the Arts. Announced in London, the European Healthcare Design Awards seeks to celebrate top-tier design projects that demonstrate exceptional creativity and innovation in the healthcare industry. In 2018 Dr Erica Seccombe was engaged by Campbelltown Art Centre as one of two leading art strategy consultants for the project, 'What does a hospital feel like?'. The other artist was Nicole Monks, a multi-disciplinary creative of Yamaji Wajarri, Dutch and English heritage living and working on Worimi and Awabakal Country (Newcastle).

Throughout the build until its completion in 2022, Erica has worked closely with BLP's architectural vision to create a hospital environment focused on the wellbeing and comfort of patients, visitors, staff and the community. There are many important outcomes of the overall art strategy consultation, and Erica's contribution has resulted in a suite of original illustrations depicting a selection of native plants that feature as a continuous story throughout the brand new hospital building. It adds up to over 350 square meters of illustrated vinyl and an 80 m wide hand painted mural that is one of the main interior features in the hospital street. The project was guided by the premise that being in contact with nature may relieve some of the stress of a hospital experience, this selection of plants endemic to the region has cultural significance to First Nations peoples. The Campbelltown Hospital is situated on the custodial lands of the Dharawal where there are many reminders of their traditional and ongoing connection to the land.

As Jarod Reedle writes for the Architecture & Design magazine, 'The accolades speak to the outstanding design outcomes achieved by the practice in reinvigorating the major health hub in south-west Sydney. The upgraded facility comprises six storeys of mental health services coupled with a backdrop of art to heal and boost the wellbeing of patients. It is recognised as the first facility of its kind in the south-west region to unify mental health services with mainstream health provision.' (BLP brings home awards from the world stage, Jarrod Reedie 16/6/23)

More reading:
https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/blp-brings-home-awards-fro...'s%20(BLP)%20delivery,the%20European%20Healthcare%20Design%20Awards 
https://www.blp.com.au/billard-leece-partnership-wins-at-the-prestigious...
https://www.artshealthnetwork.com.au/what-does-a-hospital-feel-like-art-...