Studio Four Architects designed new purpose-built accommodation for an existing GP Practice, dentist and pharmacy as part of a mixed-use scheme, together with a new Methodist church. Through the involvement of the Local Authority, a nearby site was identified which could accommodate both facilities; the two buildings were designed to ‘work’ together and underline the common community focus shared by both users.
Materials and built form have been chosen to be sympathetic to the residential nature of the surrounding area, but also appropriate for the prominent local buildings which they have become.
The Medical Centre was designed to achieve BREEAM ‘very good’ – despite the requirement being introduced late in the design process; this was achieved through careful specification of materials and fittings, the use of solar thermal panels to supplement hot water demand, and site facilities externally.