This project was conceived as a development for Clients looking to locate their dental specialist practice whilst providing an income from leasing medical space to other professionals.  The site was an ideal opportunity to achieve their goal being across the road from the old Gold Coast Hospital in Queen Street, Southport.

 

The 1203m2 site slopes considerably away from the street and the planning for vehicular access and parking proved challenging, resulting in 2 levels of parking for 46 vehicles including ambulance bay under 3 levels of medical consulting uses. Using the slope of the land the architects were able to provide natural ventilation to the upper parking level which provided a visual break between the building and the ground and assisted in reducing the visual bulk of the building facing the residential development adjacent.

 

The lower level of the 3 floors of medical uses opens out to Queen Street thus giving the building a 3 storey presence to the street. The entry is protected by a large red painted masonry blade which gives focus to the front security doors as well as an strong visual identity to the street.

 

The building was constructed predominantly using concrete blockwork with reinforced concrete slabs and a steel framed metal sheet roof.

 

The design is simple, clean, colourful and interesting with well defined articulation in elevation facets. The materials of painted, rendered blockwork, lightweight board, Colorbond metal sheeting and glass were chosen for their low maintenance and ability to assist with the articulation into smaller surface façade areas and disguising the scale of the building bulk.

 

Development of the former residential area into medical and complimentary uses is imminent and being the first in the area, 128 has set a high level of standard in design and functional presence to the precinct for others to emulate.