Barwon Health North is a Community Health Hub that offers a new model of care, situated within a leisure and community precinct in the northern suburbs of Geelong. It is an innovative, integrated and community-focused health and wellbeing centre situated only a few steps away from the Corio Library, Centenary Hall and Waterworld Leisure Centre.

This new model of care balances safety and security for patients and visitors with dignity and freedom of choice. The hub houses several specialist practices including mental health support, dialysis treatment, medical imaging, urgent care and pharmacy.

The civic scale and presence of the building connects healthcare with community wellbeing and leisure and optimal building operations prove advantageous to the wellbeing of healthcare workers with staff facilities including private and shared offices, generous amenities, and a private outdoor staff ‘retreat’ on the first-floor terrace.

With multiple sections of the building operating 24 hours a day, the spatial planning and staging of public to private spaces benefits both patients and healthcare providers alike with allocated all-access public areas and streamlined security access points for rooms such as discreet needle exchange.

Meticulous planning provides security for all staff by maximising vision while patients and visitors are provided with optimal privacy and choice. By delivering this healthcare model in the context of a leisure and lifestyle precinct the health hub becomes a place that destigmatises heath care by welcoming the community and encouraging regular check ins with clinicians for ongoing health and wellbeing. Incorporating design principles akin with civic and educational architecture, rather than a hospital, creates a safe and inviting space for the community.

Finishes: Equitone Tectiva Panel (CSP Architectural), Austral Bricks, Tarkett, iQ Granit Carpet Tile (Interface), Laminex, Formica, Instyle. Fittings & Fixtures: Roller blinds (Verosol), Lysaght Longline profile in Rhea (Bluescope).

Photography: Ian Ten Seldam