billard leece completes a soberingly stunning rehabilitation center

four kilometers from victoria’s second largest city, geelong, is a healthcare hub containing several structures aimed at the mental and physical betterment if the surrounding townships. the newest addition is the ‘belmont community rehabilitation centre’ by australian practice billard leece partnership, which is adjacent to their kardinia health GP super clinic project completed 2 years prior. the one level structure’s footprint resembles a skewed ‘u’ shape placing individual’s rooms along the outer perimeter and the administrative and public areas towards the core. a wind-protected courtyard filled with gardens and trees offers a peaceful environment for the inhabitants to disconnect. in order to realize an easily-built structure, white cypress timber planks were implemented as the primary facade material for their durability, ease of installment, and overall warmth. embedded self-shading windows are the focal point of the bays that make up the exterior facade, framed by the angled wooden panels.

image © tony miller | all images courtesy of billard leece partnership

image © tony miller

image © tony miller

image © tony miller

image © tony miller

larger shaded windows
image © tony miller

skylights illuminate the interior hallways
image © tony miller

site plan / floor plan
image © billard leece partnership

project info:

architects: billard leece partnership
client: barwon health
services engineer: ahw waterman
structural engineer: irwinconsult
project manager: aurecon
quantity surveyor: sweett group
building contractor: rendine constructions
total construction cost: $3.5 million aud
gross floor area: 600sqm
completion: 2012
photography: tony miller