Nepean Mental Health Centre
By Brickworks
The structure uses conventional commercial construction technology with structural steel columns, steel roof framing and concrete slabs. The extensive glazing, hard steel and prefinished fibre-cement panels relate closely to the adjacent hospital buildings.
They contrast strongly with the non-institutional feel of the interiors, with large areas of glazing and comfortable lounges allowing a visual connection to the three therapeutic internal courtyards. Patients are encouraged to wander in loops through the courtyards and engage with the landscaping.
The most striking building element is the precast concrete walling, substantial areas of which are decorated with a bamboo pattern that is debossed (engraved) into the concrete surface. All precast panels (plain and patterned) are finished in a pleasant coppery green colour, applied on site using Austral Precast’s PermaTint process.
The use of the green, patterned walling is most effective around the building entrance, on the long street elevation and most especially in the therapeutic courtyards where the colour and texture blend happily with the landscaping.
ARCHITECT Woods Bagot
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Hughes Trueman
BUILDER: AW Edwards
FEATURED PRODUCTS: Austral Precast Concrete PermaForm and PermaTint
POSTED: 09.02.2014
Photography: Alexander Mayes
Professionals used in
Nepean Mental Health Centre
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Brickworks is one of the Australia’s largest and most diverse building material manufacturers, housing some of the Australia’s best-known building material brands.
With a broad product portfolio and manufacturing and sales facilities across Australia and North America, Brickworks Building Products is uniquely placed to service the demands of the building industry.
We make beautiful products that last forever. Our products include clay bricks and pavers, concrete masonry blocks, retaining wall systems, stone, cement, precast concrete panels, concrete and terracotta roof tiles, timber battens, terracotta façades and specialised building systems.
Our commitment is to inspire, support, create and build better environments and places for our customers and communities. All integral to our clear vision to become the world’s best building product company.
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