The Australian Catholic University’s new $75m health and wellbeing centre by Woods Bagot has been approved.

The design aims to create new standards in energy efficiency while providing an attractive social and working environment.

Planning approval for the centre in Fitzroy, Melbourne, was announced by Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden.

The project incorporates active mass cooling concrete slabs, rainwater harvesting, solar hot water heating panels, six wind turbines and a roof top garden terrace.

It includes lecture theatres, classrooms, staff areas, nursing laboratories, a gymnasium, café-bookshop and a rooftop terrace and garden to accommodate 2,000 students and 500 staff.

It is planned that the facility will incorporate healthy architecture, with the aim of pushing new standards in energy efficient design without compromising the attractiveness of social or faculty workplace environments.

Education and science sector director Mark Kelly says: "This has allowed for a light filled atria and circulation core which means better air flow, more sunlight and a happier, healthier workplace.

"The eco-conscious spirit of the design also extends to level six, where a landscaped rooftop terrace overlooks picturesque Fitzroy to the North.

The roof's stark jagged profile pays homage to the Melbourne suburb's industrial past, whilst creating a weather-protected amenity for staff, students and friends to enjoy.

”The building mass and height interprets the qualities inherent in both the brief and the location as staggered volumes step up toward the south to reveal a changing asymmetric silhouette when viewed from differing street vantage points.

The centre's architectural presence is further defined by a natural palette of materials including concrete, brick, zinc and glass.

The ground and mezzanine floors will be occupied by a cafe bookshop and lecture theatre, whilst the Chapel and Centre clinics will face Brunswick Street, a major retail hub in Fitzroy. The building entry will engage with the pedestrian community with access links to other main streets and suburbs located nearby.

Architecture & Design Team

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