ADNZ/RESENE 2010 NATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS

This project by Darryl Church involved the conversion of a wing in an existing youth health centre as the first stage of a major revamp. The centre required spaces for three general practitioners and support staff, and two waiting spaces, both to be visible from reception. A staffroom with a one-way window, toilets for the consulting rooms, and a DAP toilet/shower were also required.

With all elements needing to fit within the existing wing, space had to be used conservatively. An opaque polycarbonate multiwall offers good acoustics and privacy from the rest of the centre.

The consulting rooms and toilets are down one side of the wing with the corridor and support rooms along the other side. Internal corridor door units are combinations of multiwall panels, admitting borrowed natural light, together with operable louvres for cross ventilation. A battened timber screen provides a degree of separation and privacy for the waiting space, while maintaining a feeling of openness. The circular cutout is a fun element in an otherwise serious fit-out. The existing concrete ceiling and beams are left exposed and painted a dark colour, while cable trays route services and mount lighting.

The brief directed the restrictive use of gang-associated primary hues. Instead a warm and soothing orange was applied to the batten screen which envelops the waiting area.

Story by: Trendsideas