IMG refines plans after open days
The design consultants are further refining plans for the Integrated Family Health Centre following a number of suggestions made by people at the open days hosted by the Interim Management Group last month.
The Peddle Thorp design team was delighted with the feedback at the open days in Collingwood and Takaka, noting a number of consistent viewpoints. Many useful suggestions will be incorporated in the designs as they continue to be refined.
These changes will be available to view at a public meeting, now likely to be held in July.
The most frequently commented-on design element was the position of some of Rest Home bedrooms. Without exception, everyone who commented about the orientation of the rooms suggested more of these should face out into the external garden rather than into the internal courtyard.
The belief of a range of young and not-so-young people at the open days was that minimising road noise should not take precedence over the opportunity for access into the garden and views out over the fields towards the mountains.
Likely future speed restrictions on State Highway 60 would reduce road noise further, also helped by proposed planting and earthworks. Moving those rooms would also reduce the overall area and therefore the project and construction cost. The repositioning of four bedrooms is therefore being considered.
Other feedback related to the need to check the requirements for areas such as x-ray, access into the courtyards for maintenance purposes, provision of adequate and safe car parking, size of rooms and storage for longer-term patients, and outdoor waiting for patients and their support people/drivers.
Those attending also discussed the use of consulting rooms in the primary health/general practice zone and the model, based on the principle of using the rooms on a scheduling basis (rather than being designated to any individual). This model is common across Australasia, offering maximum efficiency and minimising the incidence of underutilised rooms. Most rooms are suitable for clinical examination, with one being more suitable for counselling and consultation. All will be operated on a booking system.
A large number of questions were asked about the features that will support responsible use of energy and provide a sustainable design.
Terry Barnes, the master planner and health architect, explained the facility has been designed with a series of small domestic-scaled buildings with a narrow footprint to enable natural ventilation and light to penetrate the internal spaces. Courtyards are wide enough to ensure the sun falls on the building facades in mid winter to help with space heating and general comfort. The landscaping design and the selection of plants for the courtyard areas will be appropriate for the space, use and climate. Stormwater design for the courtyards will be designed to cater for the recent and possible future increase in annual rainfall levels.
Roof design will maximise the shading of the building in summer but also allow sufficient sun penetration into the interiors spaces during the winter months. The front entrance has been placed to minimise exposure to prevailing winds. Bedrooms have windows and doors to the courtyards and gardens.
Design work is progressing, with regular feedback from the clinical leadership group and a family representative.
Submitted by
Interim Management Group
