SIA Architect’s brief for Centrecare Midland called for a contemporary building, sympathetic to the adjacent heritage buildings.

Offices, meetings rooms and circulation were designed to provide an environment suitable for the client's specific work, which includes community counselling services.

To address sustainability, maintenance minimisation and adaptation to renewable sources of energy were taken into consideration.

LED lighting has been used throughout, a thermostat design has been incorporated, and ceiling surfaces have been installed to expose the underside of concrete upper floors so that the building mass is used for storing heat or cooling the building.

Electricity supply PV cell arrays have been incorporated across available roof areas and as a sun shade/roof canopy to the north upper storey terrace that runs the full length of the building. Insulation has been provided inside external walls, under floors and within roof spaces, and water saving fixtures have been installed throughout.

KEY INITIATIVES:

  • A three storey high central atrium opening to the eastern main stairwell and adjoining park forms the core of the passive solar solution to the building, and is the main reference point to an internal landscape and waterfall to which counselling spaces and offices open onto. This central atrium also brings natural light into the office areas, provides a natural ventilation path for the whole building and allows for spatial awareness of the three active levels for visitors and staff
  • Use of building mass for heating and cooling, with air-conditioning systems synchronised to the thermostat controlling closure and opening of breeze facing windows
  • On the Ground floor of the atrium, a landscaped planter with an integrated water feature increases oxygen levels and contributes to an ambience of calm and harmony to the working environment

PRODUCTS

SOLAR
NEXT POWER, 30KW PV ARRAY

GLAZING
CHINA SOUTHERN GLASS, DOUBLE GLAZED LIGHT GREY OR GREEN GLASS

PAINT
DULUX, LOW-EMISSION PAINT

APPLIANCES
WESTINGHOUSE, ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES

RECYCLED JARRAH TIMBER CLADDING 
MANDURAH TIMBER SUPPLIES