Western Region, Health Centre

Architect: Six Degrees Architects

This major refurbishment reinvented a cluster of tired buildings in Footscray for the Western Region Health Centre. The client required a welcoming, best-practice mental-health facility and administrative offices. Fulfilling the provision to keep separate the general and mental-health clients (for the best outcomes for each group), the mental-health treatment spaces were located downstairs, with a separate entry to the existing health centre for general clients. Upstairs, administration was shared between the two health facilities, creating functional and business efficiencies and fostering collaborative work practices for staff.

The building works achieved both the spatial relationships and workplace dynamics. At an aesthetic level, the success of the extensive timber detailing was achieved through artisanal talent and the utmost attention to detail.