Working with longstanding clients Medispace, Arthouse underwent multiple planning options for reconfiguring the space for Health Central, the largest general practice in Alexandra, which was outgrowing its current premises. Exhausting all options the scope moved to developing a new building for them to take a long-term lease and relocate to. An empty fuel station on a prominent state highway site was identified and the new development was designed around the needs of the doctors with them occupying the top floor as well as an urgent care centre on the ground floor.
Planning for efficiency around the needs for the medical facility drove the footprint of the building with lots of natural light to all patient areas, key views out to the hills and ample parking off street. This allowed for flexibility with multiple entry points for general appointment patients as well as direct entry/exit points to isolation rooms for infectious patients to be held until being able to be transported to Clyde where the nearest hospital is located. The urgent care facility also provides a local centre for medical care after hours and on weekends avoiding the drive over to Clyde hospital.
A steel portal frame structure with a clear span upper floor was designed to provide flexibility for the GP’s practice to adapt to future needs, Simple roof form assisted with speed of construction with a curved corner to reflect the corner site. Low winter sun is controlled externally with vertical aluminium louvres which tie into the façade and align with the windows which are all openable to provide natural ventilation for patients and staff.
Materials were chosen to reflect the Central Otago region with all materials sourced within the south island. Concrete blocks from local company Viblock were used structurally as well as visually with patterns on the staircases, Canterbury clay bricks were used for the curved corner and whitewashed, dark coloured steel cladding was used upstairs to be low maintenance and schist walls facing the state highway with stone selected from a local quarry laid by local tradesmen.
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