Australian construction firm Multiplex has been awarded the main works contract for the new central acute services building of the $1bn Westmead redevelopment.

Multiplex has been given the work following a seven-month early contractor involvement phase.

Multiplex held extensive consultation process with clinicians, patients, families and community members to finalise a design for the new 12-storey hospital building.

Architects HDR Rice Daubney designed the new hospital building, which will be the tallest hospital building in Australia.

It will provide a range of adult and paediatric services, including emergency, imaging, operating suites, multiple in-patient units and pharmacy, over 95,559m2 of space.

The building will also include a floor and a half of University of Sydney space.

A helipad will be constructed on level 13 and the building will include underground car parking spaces.

Bridge links will connect the new building with the existing Westmead Hospital and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

The new design includes the plaza, an outdoor public space equivalent to two football fields, which will be a shared entry zone to the new hospital building, the Westmead Hospital, and the Westmead Institute of Medical Research.

Office spaces will feature quiet rooms and break-out spaces similar to modern-day corporate office fit-outs.

The new hospital building is expected to open in 2020.

Multiplex regional managing director David Ghannoum said: “The user group process brought together the views of all of those people that will be involved with the new hospital building over its long life, to ensure we create an environment that supports their working and healing.

“We are excited to move into the next stage of delivering what will be a fantastic facility to the population of western Sydney.

“The new building will be built up rather than out and won’t follow the traditional large horizontal floorplate. For patients, this will mean faster transfer times, more natural light and better views from their rooms, aiding their experience and recovery.”