The Australian Catholic University’s new Centre for Health and Wellbeing is an exercise in healthy architecture, according to Woods Bagot.
Designed to reflect its primary purpose, the Centre is an energy efficient concept — adopting active mass cooling concrete slabs, rainwater harvesting, solar hot water heating panels, six wind turbines and a roof top garden terrace.
The building is set to create new standards in energy efficient design without compromising on an attractive social and working environment for faculty members, according to Woods Bagot director, Mark Kelly.
Faculty offices are accommodated within the northern component on a level-by-level basis. This has allowed for a light filled atria and circulation core, which means better air flow, more sunlight and a happier, healthier workplace, Kelly said.
“The eco-conscious spirit of the design also extends to level 6, where a landscaped rooftop terrace overlooks picturesque Fitzroy to the North. The roof’s stark jagged profile pays homage to the Melbourne suburb’s industrial past, whilst creating a weather protected amenity for staff, students and friends to enjoy,” Kelly said.
The building is staggered in volume, with platforms that “step up” toward the south to reveal a changing silhouette when viewed from various street vantage points.
A natural palette of materials includes concrete, brick, zinc and glass.
The ground and mezzanine floors overlooking Young and Duke Street are occupied by a cafe bookshop and lecture theatre, whilst the Chapel and Centre clinics will face Brunswick Street. The building’s main approach engages with the pedestrian community with access links to Little Victoria Street via Young Street and through to Brunswick.
The project is due to be completed in December 2011 at an estimated csot of $49.5 million. Structural engineering will be provided by Winward Structures with Umow Lai as consulting engineer.
