ARCHITECTS behind the proposed new specialist medical centre in Tamworth have revealed the design for the first time.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Sydney-based firm Group HiS was tasked with designing the South Tamworth facility and senior healthcare architect David McGirr said he was pleased to play a role in the project.
“In terms of function, as opposed to a GP clinic, this will be non-GP specialist based,” he said. “It is going to be a purpose-built specialist centre and looking around Tamworth, it will be Tamworth’s only one.
“That is important because in the past specialists and clinics have been traditionally aligned to major hospitals.
“It’s a healthcare environment outside of a hospital campus and will be far less clinical and will be more attune to wellness as opposed to medical health care.”
The 325-square-metre building would house four consultation rooms, two treatment rooms and two hubs for teleconferences, operating up to seven days per week.
Mr McGirr said the variety of building materials used in Tamworth and the surroundings of the site was drawn into the design process.
“We wanted to reinterpret the corrugated iron bull-nose roof often seen in lots of the building around Tamworth, it’s a very popular architectural element in hotels and residential buildings.” he said.
“We wanted to produce a modern interpretation of the bull-nose in creating an oversize corrugated curve that is replicated twice in the building and creates a mimicry of the mountains behind it.
”The most favourable aspect of the site was the amazing views to Flagstaff mountain and the mountains of East Tamworth.”
He said the design of the building would be contemporary and modern with natural light one of the key features.
”There will be less white walls and clinical surfaces and more about a relaxed space with as much natural materials being used as possible,” he said.
“The big thing will be the access to natural light, it is a major point of difference to a large hospital setting.”
