Norwood Ambulance Station

Norwood Ambulance Station is the latest ‘hub’ station in Adelaide, completed in June 2024. The $9.2M facility
is part of a recent expansion by SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) to cater for increasing population and staffing
levels, in addition to replacing their aging and leased infrastructure. The selected site, on the corner of Magill
Road and Portrush Road, is located at the epicentre of SAAS’s heatmapping in the area, providing invaluable
improvements to response times in Adelaide’s north-east.

The station’s prominent location on a national highway encourages a high-quality landscaped perimeter and a
façade commensurate with its importance to SAAS. The administration building’s push-and-pull feature brick
detailing emphasizes the dramatic roof peaks, a reinterpretation of the sawtooth warehouse roofs of Magill
Road’s industrial past. Always conscious of achieving environmentally sustainable design, the project
prioritizes locally available building materials and energy-efficient services balanced against budget.
Greenway Architects used simple and cost-effective techniques to create a workplace which has high quality
functionality and amenity whilst fostering staff pride. A workplace where staff can relax without feeling like
they are in a clinical healthcare space, or one compromised by budget constraints. Internally, these strategies
include feature colours and lighting, good access to external views, and natural daylighting. Infection control
design plays a key role in developing the floor plans and material selection, ensuring successful project
outcomes for SAAS.

The project consists of garaging for five ambulances and two light fleet vehicles, with further garaging
externally for an additional eight vehicles. Being a hub station, the facility provides two training rooms, in
addition to office and administration components beyond the typical requirements of a standard ambulance
station. The station also provides both private and communal relaxation spaces for staff to withdraw to
during their breaks or after traumatic incidents.

Norwood Ambulance Station’s striking presence overlooking such a busy and prominent highway intersection
visually reinforces SAAS’s commitment to healthcare outcomes for the people of South Australia.