Woods Bagot's latest design for the Australian Catholic University's new Centre for Health and Wellbeing aims to create new standards in energy efficiency whilst providing an attractive social and working environment
Announced by Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden; planning approval has been granted for a new National Centre for Health and Wellbeing at the Australian Catholic University in Fitzroy, Melbourne. The Australian Catholic University's new Centre for Health and Wellbeing is Woods Bagot's latest energy efficient building concept.
The project incorporates active mass cooling concrete slabs, rainwater harvesting, solar hot water heating panels, six wind turbines and a roof top garden terrace.
The Centre is the second major project for the University, a long-term client of Woods Bagot. It includes lecture theatres, classrooms, staff areas, nursing laboratories, a gymnasium, cafe-bookshop and a rooftop terrace and garden to accommodate 2,000 students and 500 staff.
The research and teaching facility will be a positive development in healthy architecture as it will create new standards in energy efficient design without compromising the attractiveness of social or faculty workplace environments.
The building section is organised with all academic offices on the northern side of the atrium with excellent access to natural light.
Education and Science Sector Director Mark Kelly explains further; "This has allowed for a light filled atria and circulation core which means better air flow, more sunlight and a happier, healthier workplace".
Seeking to enhance collaboration and creativity, the workspaces for general teaching and high-level research staff are well-integrated in the southern component of the Centre.
"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," Mark said.
Well embedded within its urban context, the project site informs the design: mediating between the contrasting urban conditions to create a strong visual connection between the Centre and its surrounds.
The building mass and height interprets the qualities inherent in both the brief and the location as staggered volumes step up toward the south to reveal a changing asymmetric silhouette when viewed from differing street vantage points.
The Centre's architectural presence is further defined by a natural palette of materials including concrete, brick, zinc and glass.
The ground and mezzanine floors will be occupied by a cafe bookshop and lecture theatre, whilst the Chapel and Centre clinics will face Brunswick Street, a major retail hub in Fitzroy. The building entry will engage with the pedestrian community with access links to other main streets and suburbs located nearby.
"The project would provide a significant boost to the Victorian economy, and create more than 384 jobs during construction while setting new standards of environmental sustainability for education buildings. The 6 Star Energy rating development is an outstanding example of an environmentally sustainable tertiary educational building," said Mr Madden.
Construction on the development is due to commence shortly with the centre expected to open for the 2013 academic year.