Waalbirniny Waabiny Boodja offers a new kind of sanctuary for Perth’s QEII Medical Centre campus

Forgoing the sterile for the sensory, Hassell’s latest project in Perth translates the global biodiversity of Kings Park into a therapeutic oasis, designed for both quiet respite and Noongar discovery.

At the northern edge of Perth Children’s Hospital, a once-overlooked stretch of lawn has been reimagined as something far more meaningful. This green space — also known as Waalbiirniny Waabiny Boodja, or ​‘to heal, to play, on Country’ — offers a new kind of sanctuary within the QEII Medical Centre campus: a place for people to pause, spark curiosity and reconnect with the restorative qualities of nature.

What was previously an underutilised grassed area lacking shade, seating or purpose, has been transformed into an immersive landscape designed for both respite and discovery. Patients, families and staff can now step beyond the clinical environment into a setting that feels distinctly different — calmer, softer and more attuned to human experience. It’s a place to rest, to play, and to momentarily shift focus away from care routines.

Central to the project is a landscape strategy grounded in the healing energy of Country. Located on Whadjuk Noongar land, the design draws on both traditional and contemporary cultural narratives. Developed in collaboration with Noongar cultural advisors Barry McGuire and Carol Innes of Soft Earth, the name Waalbiirniny Waabiny Boodja (‘to heal, to play, on Country’) captures the dual intent of the project as both a therapeutic retreat and an engaging, interactive environment. The impact of two key artists, including Barry himself, embeds layers of meaning throughout the space, with animal sculptures portraying healing properties, while shelter pods honouring the six Noongar seasons have been painted by Kamsani Bin Salleh.

Planting plays a critical role in shaping this experience. Inspired by the ancient ecology of Kings Park (Kaarta Koomba), one of the world’s largest and most significant inner-city parks, the hospital’s garden features a rich palette of native species, including banksia and eucalyptus, alongside shrubs, grasses, groundcovers and mallees. Together, they create a layered, sensory landscape that evolves over time and invites exploration.

Waalbiirniny Waabiny Boodja reframes how landscapes can support care: offering moments of relief, connection and quiet restoration within one of Western Australia’s busiest health precincts.