
Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment
Case study
The redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) in 2020 is the largest health infrastructure project ever undertaken in Tasmania.
Project Overview
Developer: Tasmania’s Department of Health and Human Services
Architect: Lyons Architects
Builder: John Holland and Fairbrother joint venture
Background
It has been transformed into a state-of-the-art trauma, teaching and referral facility following the completion of this significant redevelopment in its 207-year history.
Specification support for Hobart Hospital was tailored to meet the customer’s needs for product and colour performance.

The Challenge
Spanning 11 storeys and 37,000m2 of new construction and approximately 4,000m2 of refurbished spaces, many unique colour and surface coating specifications were required.
A key challenge of the project included the need for the hospital to remain open and functioning. As such specific lower odour products were needed to help minimise disruption on site. Hospitals have many areas that undergo frequent cleaning such as wards and waiting rooms. Harsh cleaning agents such as chlorine agents and benzalkonium chloride are essential for facility managers where maintenance is critical to the health of the environment. Products specified must be suitable for these conditions.
Minimising disruption to hospital operations while the construction was carried out was an important requirement.
The Solution
Collaboration between Dulux, specifiers and contractors was key. Various product systems were tested to inform the right specifications.
Dulux Steriguard Ultra was specified for some of the interior surfaces. This product is specifically designed to support internal environments in clinical settings. Such environments use strict cleaning programs in order to maintain a healthy and sterile state.
Meeting both the short-and-long-term needs, a number of lower odour products were selected including Duration T74, a water based 2 pack polyurethane for metal column protection. These products can be applied with minimal impact on the local air quality and importantly deliver on the performance to help maximise time to next maintenance.
While working with the Lyons architects at the onset of the design process, various Dulux technical representatives attended site during the construction phase to help modify specs where required, assist with problem solving and to support contractors during application.

“Dulux’s extensive range of colours was a key driver for the decision to utilise their products at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Working with Dulux to create custom colours was an effortless process. Dulux were able to understand the project brief and produce a range of customised colour choices that supported our design philosophies and desired outcomes for this flagship hospital. Their product knowledge and commitment to providing the best result was Dulux’s top priority, and we would work with them again in the future.”
Andim Taip – Architect, Lyons
Project Outcomes
Dulux Construction Solutions was able to provide specifications for a variety of applications: premium paints, renders, clears for timber, concrete coatings and metal protective coatings.
Dulux Professional® SteriGuard® Ultra is a two part durable polyurethane that when mixed, uses Bayhydrol® Water Based Technology from Bayer MaterialScience to produce an ultra-tough, chemical resistant interior finish designed to withstand high intensity cleaning cycles in clinical environments. The low VOC, low odour formula ensures quick return to service with less disruption.
The design was fully reviewed from both an operational and construction perspective so only the most effective coatings solutions were implemented and programmed.
Dulux has an extensive range of >4800 colours, and in this instance the colour scheme design was enhanced by the creation of a range of customised colours that supported the architect’s design philosophy.
Hospital operations continued while the construction was carried out. A number of lower odour products were specified so that application work could continue on-site with minimal disruption to workers and the public near by.
Products and systems were specified to meet the durability requirement of this important development project, including withstanding clinical cleaning regimes and the impacts of external weather conditions, protecting surfaces and providing beautiful aesthetic appeal.






Products Specified
Dulux Paint
Plasterboard & Ceilings
These premium products were specified to meet the various requirements for surface preparation, low odour, opacity, durability and colour.
Dulux Prepcoat Acrylic Sealer Undercoat
Dulux Professional SteriGaurd Ultra Low Sheen
Dulux Professional envirO2 Interior Flat
Dulux Professional envirO2 Interior Acrylic Sealer Undercoat
Dulux Wash&Wear Low Sheen
Doors & Trim
Dulux Professional Total Prep
Dulux Professional envirO2 Interior Acrylic Sealer Undercoat
Dulux Professional SteriGaurd Water Based Enamel Semi Gloss
Dulux Aquanamel Gloss
Dulux Protective Coatings
Stairs, Paths & Railings
Stairs, paths and railings, require protection from foot traffic, moving equipment and abrasion, whilst also delivering an appealing aesthetic. These Protective coatings products were specified:
Dulux Durebuild STE 2 PACK epoxy
Dulux Quantum 221 2 Pack High Gloss
Dulux Luxeproxy 4 White Two Pack Primer
Dulux Duration P23 Primer
Dulux Duration T74 Gloss
Dulux Acratex
Concrete Walls
Colour range, weatherproofing, crack bridging, flexibility, dirt and mould resistance are important performance factors to consider when specifying coatings for facades.
Dulux Acratex Tiltwash Cleaner
Dulux Acratex Green Render Sealer
Dulux Acratex AcraShield Advance
Intergrain
Timber Panelling
Timber adds a warm and natural element to design. Clear coatings provide the protection timber needs, whilst showcasing its beauty.
Intergrain Ultraclear Interior Gloss