Cessnock Correctional Centre Health Precinct

ARCHITECTURE

/

Cessnock Correctional Centre Health Precinct

The 240-bed expansion of the Cessnock Correctional Centre included a new medical clinic building to cater for the 800 prisoners in the expanded facility.

The outpatient facilities in the health building consisted of six consultation rooms, a dental treatment room, triage, and treatment rooms as well as a medication dispensing pharmacy and opioid substitution treatment program area. The inpatient facilities included a two-bed ward, four medical observation cells and a common dayroom and courtyard space.

The operators of the new medical facility, NSW Justice Health were so impressed that they have chosen to utilise the design in their new facility design standards.

Stage A works included the refurbishment and extension of an existing two-storey classroom block as well as the construction of a new covered walkway through the centre of the school.

PROCESS

Taking inspiration from the natural elements of Crescent Bay, the entry to the retreat has been designed to mimic the geology of the surrounding caves and cliffs. Entering through the courtyard, guests pass through a sequence of external and internal spaces that provide glimpses of the view that is finally revealed in the dining space. Prone to strong southerly winds, the ground floor southern pavilion has been designed to provide shelter to the courtyard that connects to the internal living space on the western side of the house.

METHODOLOGY

The retreat design is lightweight and can be adapted to a modular construction, which allows for off-site prefabrication to minimise environmental impact. The use of native, local gene pool plant species is planned to ensure the soft landscape is climate sensitive, contextually appropriate and beneficial to wildlife.he showrooms with the facade’s orientation to the western afternoon sun. Using a mixture of large overhangs, screening, and glazing types we successfully reduced the impact of the afternoon sun while still maximising natural light inside.

TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND

The Darkinung People

COMPLETION

2020

LOCATION

Cessnock, New South Wales

CLIENT

NSW Department of Corrections and Lendlease

PROJECT CONTACT

PHOTOGRAPHY

Alexander McIntyre

VALUE OUTCOMES

sustainable_icon_biophilic
sustainable_icon_sustainable
sustainable_icon_energy

“GB-A were an absolute pleasure to work with. The team on site and in the office never cut corners and were committed to delivering a very high quality project.”

Jim Spainard, Golburn Enterprise

Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy. Drawing on the knowledge from our Greenstar accredited team members and specialist consultants in environmentally sustainable design, we ensure our project teams integrate creativity with scientific rigour, to create designs that are conscientious of the natural environment and local ecology. Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy.

PRINCIPLES OF PASSION

During the design process, our project team not only considers the physical context of the designs but also examines the social and cultural context. Through every design, we look for ways to inspire positive attitudes, behaviours and emotional responses in people to encourage the responsible use of resources, increase cooperation among occupants, and communicate the values of society and cultural diversity.
Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy. Drawing on the knowledge from our Greenstar accredited team members and specialist consultants in environmentally sustainable design, we ensure our project teams integrate creativity with scientific rigour, to create designs that are conscientious of the natural environment and local ecology.

We design built environments from a holistic, sustainable perspective: each project reconciles ecological and social impacts within the current economic climate. We holistically evaluate environmental, cultural and financial sustainability in every task we undertake.