Alexandria Health Centre

Architect
Warren and Mahoney 
Lead Architect Name
Adele King 
Architect Country
Australia 
Client
 
Project Completion Date
01/11/2022  
Status
Entrant, Shortlist  
Project City
Sydney 
Project Country
Australia 
Category
WAF Future Project: Health  
Category Sponsor
 
WAF Prize
WAFX Award - Ageing and Health Winner 
WAF Prize Sponsor
 
WAF Year
2023 
Location
Not Available 
Image Credits
Warren and Mahoney 
Mental illness is a significant issue in Australia, affecting one in five people every year. Despite
ongoing research into mental health treatments, there is still a pressing need for new models of
care in clinical settings that prioritize open communication and de-stigmatization of mental
illness. In response to this need, a new mental health facility is being developed in Alexandria,
Sydney, with a focus on holistic wellbeing. The facility aims to raise awareness, promote
acceptance, offer support, and aid in recovery and healing. To achieve this goal, the project has
identified four key design drivers: sound clinical planning; an elevated customer experience; a
considered urban response; and embedding a connection to country and Indigenous concepts
of wellness. The site is located in Alexandria, an industrial area undergoing significant growth.
The project will be one of the first to be built under the area’s new urban regeneration
framework, providing the opportunity to set a benchmark for quality urban design outcomes in
the neighborhood. Early engagement with Indigenous practitioners has helped to embed
Indigenous values and stories into the project, connecting to place and helping to reconnect
consumers to country. The building takes inspiration from the bamuru (kangaroo grass), with its
soft curves and rich color. The plant provided sustenance for early communities and was
integral in the regeneration of native creeks. The project draws metaphorical inspiration from
this power of resurfacing knowledge and identity to create wellbeing. The materiality and
composition of the façade utilizes natural materials that reference the urban fabric and have
been chosen throughout to ensure the building responds to its local context. Creating a
sensitive response at the street edge was essential to lower physical and psychological barriers
to entry. The building is lifted up above the street to create an inviting and activated ground
plane and a respite landscaped zone at the entrance. The ‘bite’ in the floorplate provides the
opportunity for relief to the adjacent development and a clear arrival marker to the main
entrance – welcoming people into the facility. Levels 01 – 03 contain flexible floorplates for a
range of medical center services, with the top three floors of the building containing the mental
health facilities cantered around two courtyard spaces. The users will have access to these
internal protected landscaped courtyards, open to the sky above at each level, with a special
focus on the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. The project places functionality,
equality, and dignity for all people at the forefront of its design. Soft edges, a strong connection
to nature, clear and accessible circulation and warm materiality create an environment that will
be calming and comfortable to return to over time – creating a positive experience to embark on
their healing journey. Embedded through architecture, this project is committed to exceptional
sustainability performance, with a particular focus on reducing built area, passive design
strategies, connection to nature, and design for health and wellbeing.
https://warrenandmahoney.com/articles/warren-and-mahoney-shortlisted-at-prestigious-world-
architecture-festival
Title: Reimagining Mental Healthcare: An Architectural Approach to Holistic Wellbeing in
Alexandria, Sydney
Introduction
Mental illness is a pervasive issue in Australia, affecting approximately one in five people each
year. Despite ongoing research and advancements in mental health treatments, there remains
an urgent need for innovative models of care in clinical settings that prioritize open
communication and the destigmatization of mental illness. In response to this pressing need, a
visionary mental health facility is currently under development in Alexandria, Sydney. This
facility aims to revolutionize mental healthcare by focusing on holistic wellbeing, promoting
awareness, fostering acceptance, offering unwavering support, and facilitating recovery and
healing. To achieve these noble objectives, the project has identified four critical design drivers:
sound clinical planning, an elevated customer experience, a considered urban response, and
the incorporation of Indigenous concepts of wellness and connection to country.
Context and Location
The chosen site for this groundbreaking mental health facility is in Alexandria, an industrial area
currently undergoing significant growth. This project will be among the first to be constructed
under the area's new urban regeneration framework, presenting a unique opportunity to
establish a benchmark for quality urban design outcomes in the neighborhood.
Indigenous Influence
Right from its inception, the project recognized the importance of embracing Indigenous values
and stories. Early engagement with Indigenous practitioners played a pivotal role in embedding
these values into the project's DNA. By doing so, the facility seeks to connect people to their
ancestral roots and the concept of "country," promoting a sense of belonging and wellbeing.
Inspiration for the building's design was drawn from the bamuru, or kangaroo grass, with its
gentle curves and rich color. This plant was historically vital for sustaining early communities
and played a crucial role in rehabilitating native creeks. The project metaphorically aligns itself
with this resurgence of knowledge and identity to create an environment conducive to wellbeing.
Architectural Design
The architectural design of the facility is deeply rooted in its mission to promote holistic
wellbeing and reduce stigmatization. The choice of materials and composition of the façade
harmoniously blend with the local urban fabric, ensuring the building seamlessly integrates into
its surroundings. A sensitive approach at the street level was adopted to minimize physical and
psychological barriers to entry. The building is elevated above the street, creating an inviting
and active ground plane with a welcoming entrance that clearly signifies the facility's purpose.
Functional Layout
The facility's internal layout is meticulously planned to cater to a wide range of medical center
services across levels 01 to 03, with the top three floors dedicated to mental health facilities.
These floors revolve around two beautifully landscaped courtyards, providing users with access
to serene, open-air spaces. The design places a special emphasis on the connection between
indoor and outdoor environments, recognizing their significance in the healing process.
User-Centric Approach
The project's overarching philosophy centers on functionality, equality, and dignity for all
individuals. Soft architectural edges, a strong connection to nature, clear and accessible
circulation pathways, and warm, inviting materials all contribute to creating an environment that
is calming and comfortable. This design ethos ensures that individuals embark on their healing
journey within an atmosphere that fosters positivity and serenity.
Sustainability and Wellbeing
Emphasizing sustainability, the project is committed to exceptional sustainability performance. It
places particular focus on reducing built area, incorporating passive design strategies, fostering
a strong connection to nature, and designing for the health and wellbeing of its occupants. In
this way, the architecture aligns itself with the broader goals of environmental responsibility and
human flourishing.
Conclusion
The development of this visionary mental health facility in Alexandria, Sydney, exemplifies a
forward-thinking approach to addressing the challenges of mental illness in Australia. Through
its architectural design and commitment to holistic wellbeing, Indigenous values, and
sustainability, it stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the transformative power of
architecture in promoting mental health, reducing stigma, and facilitating recovery and healing.
This project is poised to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals affected by mental
illness and set a new standard for mental healthcare facilities worldwide.
In light of ongoing mental health challenges and the need for innovative care models that
emphasize communication and destigmatization, a pioneering mental health facility is being
developed in Alexandria, Sydney. This facility seeks to transform mental healthcare by
prioritizing holistic wellbeing, promoting awareness, fostering acceptance, providing unwavering
support, and facilitating recovery and healing.
Indigenous Influence
From its inception, the project embraced Indigenous values and stories, involving Indigenous
practitioners early on to integrate these values deeply. This connection to Indigenous heritage
aims to promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing, drawing inspiration from the bamuru
(kangaroo grass) to metaphorically align with the resurgence of knowledge and identity for a
healing environment.
Architectural Design
The facility's architectural design prioritizes holistic wellbeing and destigmatization. Materials
and façade blend seamlessly with the local urban context. A sensitive approach at the street
level was adopted to minimize physical and psychological barriers to entry.
User-Centric Approach
The project prioritizes functionality, equality, and dignity. It achieves this through soft
architectural elements, a strong natural connection, clear pathways, and warm materials,
creating a calming and comfortable environment that fosters positivity and serenity for
individuals on their healing journey.
Sustainability and Wellbeing
The project prioritizes exceptional sustainability by reducing built area, using passive design
strategies, enhancing nature integration, and prioritizing occupant health and wellbeing. This
aligns with broader goals of environmental responsibility and human flourishing.