Georgina Wilson Architect (GWA) has delivered The Sydney Eye Specialist Centre, in Kingsford, a building which blends the old and new through consistent roofing products, materials and colours.
The now complete Stage 1 included the demolition of the front of the existing building and the creation of a new pavilion which houses an entry ramp, reception, waiting rooms, consulting and testing rooms and a mezzanine for administrative functions.
The roofing design has been cleverly blended into the rest of the building through the use of consistent roofing material which links to the old parts of the building.
The new section uses Lysaght's Longline 305 in Windspray with the rear existing section of the building using Lysaght Colorbond in the same colour which the architects say was a cost effective method of achieving a coherent building composition.
Architect on the project, Georgina Wilson, describes the thought process that went into the design of the roof.
"The form of the roof was designed to be contextual in relation to the other bungalow type dwellings adjacent. The design sought to respect a transition zone between the multi-storey mixed use developments along Anzac Parade and the residential (primarily inter-war bungalow) character of Middle Street."
GWA collaborated with Beebo Constructions to deliver the project in a 6 month turnaround and have successfully achieved the client's brief of enhanced patient comfort.
The innovative design means that the roof ridge capping has been folded back along its periphery to produce a very fine edge against the standing seams of the metal sheeting.
"There are no eaves and the roofing has been carefully detached where it meets the walls. The half round zinc gutters, zinc fascia and banding becomes a feature of the building.
It was not possible to have eaves as the outer walls sit on the boundary," says Wilson.
Vertical lines visible in the roofing work very well compositionally with the other elements in the facade of the building:
- The external aluminium louvers
- The steel security grilles
- The painted timber fence.
A Stage 2 is planned for the future and will involve the rebuilding of the existing operating and laser suites and carparking facilities.
