Expanding critical care for New Zealand's children.

Built Environs delivered the expansion of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Atrium Infill at Starship Children’s Hospital, increasing intensive care capacity while creating new clinical accommodation within one of New Zealand’s busiest children’s hospitals.

Delivered through an ECI-to-Fixed Price Lump Sum model, the project increased PICU capacity by 45%, constructed new steel and cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors within the existing atrium, and completed significant structural strengthening, seismic upgrades and building services integration. Every stage was delivered within a fully operational hospital, with zero unplanned service disruptions or clinical impacts.

Delivering within a live children’s hospital

Construction was undertaken at the heart of a 24/7 operational children’s hospital, directly alongside intensive care units, operating theatres and critical infrastructure.

Detailed staging, dedicated construction access, infection prevention measures and continuous coordination with hospital stakeholders ensured patients, whānau and clinical staff could continue receiving care without interruption throughout delivery.

45%
Increase in PICU capacity

Creating new clinical space within an existing hospital

The Atrium Infill transformed two levels of the existing hospital atrium into new clinical accommodation without impacting hospital operations.

The project required installation of new steel and CLT floor structures, structural strengthening and seismic upgrades within highly constrained conditions. Extensive temporary works planning, specialist lifting methodologies and detailed sequencing enabled the works to be delivered safely within the live hospital environment.

Integrating complex building services

New mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, medical gas, fire and communications systems were integrated into live hospital infrastructure where access, sequencing and installation tolerances were critical.

Early Contractor Involvement and BIM coordination helped identify clashes, improve constructability and reduce rework, supporting efficient delivery across heavily congested services zones.

Delivering safely in a complex environment

One of the project’s highest-risk activities involved removing a 32-tonne footbridge located above critical plant and adjacent to surgical areas.

Specialist temporary works, acoustic enclosures and carefully sequenced demolition allowed the bridge to be safely dismantled without disrupting hospital operations or patient care.

Ready for immediate care

Commissioning and handover followed a staged, room-by-room approach aligned with hospital operations.

Progressive commissioning, staff training and digital quality assurance ensured every area was fully operational on handover, achieving defect-free completion, zero clinical impacts and uninterrupted hospital services throughout the project.

Defect-free handover
Every stage delivered with zero clinical impacts.