Parkview wins Aged Care Queensland ESD Award

22 March 2012

Parkview, Wheller Gardens continues to exceed expectations within the Aged Care sector. Fulton Trotter Architects is proud to announce that Wesley Mission Brisbane was today awarded an “Aged Care Queensland Environmental Sustainability Award: Built Design” at the 2012 Aged Care Queensland Conference on the Gold Coast.

The Residential Aged Care Facility is a 144 bed community located at Wheller Gardens, Chermside, one of Wesley Mission Brisbane’s largest residential aged care facilities. The project included 144 residential places, a therapy centre, kitchen, function spaces and a chapel. The structure comprises of a concrete column and slab system with predominately light-weight cladding. Whilst is it obviously impossible to foresee all future developments and requirements for reuse, the new facility is designed where feasible, for future flexibility. This required articulation of structure, skin, space planning and services and interiors that will allow for progressive building renewal over 45 years.

The Apartments at 20sqm (with a 6sqm ensuite) were larger than the industry standard at the time of construction. This decision was made because of the past trend toward larger rooms.

Facility mission statement words by Wesley Mission Brisbane
Parkview is not so much a building, but a community flowing with the joy of life. Its purpose is to be filled with residents living well and with integrity, respect, empowerment, hope, justice, compassion, and innovation. The building is the framework, but the people inside are the spirit – encouraging individualised care through catering to the specific needs of each resident.

Parkview and its people fully embrace the principles of the Eden Alternative ™ – “a principle-based philosophy that empowers Care Partners to transform institutional approaches to care into the creation of a community where life is worth living” – and which seeks to eliminate loneliness, helplessness and boredom in residential aged care.

Behind the ESD of Parkview words by Fulton Trotter Architects
Wesley Mission Brisbane engaged a sustainability consultant, Ray Jones Sustainable Designs, as part of the design team for Parkview. The Sustainability Report, which was commissioned during the briefing phase of the project, provided a range of options which were tested and incorporated into the project where feasible. The architect engaged for this project, Fulton Trotter Architects, has a strong background in passive building design, which includes building orientation and maximising design opportunities to capture breezes, light and also thermal mass considerations. Wesley Mission was committed to incorporating sustainable elements in this development.

Energy –

The building has been designed to maximise natural lighting opportunities, which reduces reliance on artificial lighting sources
Selection of energy efficient light fittings and incorporation of a lighting control system that allows lighting to be dimmed and switched in banks.
The building has been designed to allow for natural cross ventilation through multiple ventilation pathways into habitable rooms including Apartments and Sitting Rooms, which reduces the reliance on air-conditioning.
The air-conditioning system has been designed so that residents have individual control over their Apartments, including switching off areas where air-conditioning is not desired. Similar nursing staff can control public areas.
Off-peak electric hot water system with provision for connection to solar in the future.
The east-west building orientation and design of overhangs and screens act to minimises summer heat gain and allow for winter sun penetration.

Water –

The project included two underground tanks that have a total capacity of 500,000L, which harvest rainwater from 5,600sqm of roof area. The water is used to irrigate the extensive gardens, which are an integral part of the development and lives of the residents.
Hydraulic Fixtures: Low Flush Toilets, 60/100 Flow Taps

Waste –

The Parkview facility has a procedure for waste management. All cardboard and paper waste is recycled.

Building –

The strategy for the interiors was to select a palette that wouldn’t date.
All finishes were chosen with keeping in mind long term minimal costs to cleaning and maintenance with reduced use of harsh cleaning chemicals.
Non-toxic / Low VOC paints
No chemical termite barriers
Vinyl selected has some recycled content (Armstrong Accolade) and low volatile organic compound (VOC) adhesive.
Carpet selected has some recycled content and a 20year warranty (so is expected to last twice as long as normal carpet). Carpet is direct stick with low VOC adhesives.

This award builds on the innovation within Aged Care that Wesley Mission Brisband and Fulton Trotter Architects achieved through thoughtful and well-considered design. Parkview now has four awards for its success and continues to build on its Eden Principles by providing outstanding care to the residents.

The team has exceeded the notion of what’s possible in aged care accommodation standards with the design of Parkview. This project has received critical acclaim from the aged care and architectural sectors and has also won two major design awards in addition to the new ESD award (the National Aged Care Building Award for New Extra Services Facilities and the Queensland State Architecture Commendation for Multiple Housing).

Recognition
“Parkview is a community within a community” – Annie Gibney, Director of Nursing – Parkview, Wheller Gardens
“The staff love Parkview, the residents enjoy the atmosphere and their families are always excited to come and visit” – Geoff Batkin, CEO – Wesley Mission Brisbane
“Parkview re-defines institutional style aged care through sensitive and well considered design” – Malcolm Middleton, 2011 Jury Director – Australia Institute of Architects
“Parkview illustrates the importance of resident and staff input and involvement during the design stage” – Darragh O’Keefe, Editor – Aged Care INsite Magazine
“We feel Parkview demonstrates a new model of care through articulate and thoughtful architecture” – Mark Trotter, Director – Fulton Trotter Architects
“With my involvement in the aged care / retirement living industry over the last 25 years, I have seen much change in building designs. The facilities at Parkview are superb and a credit to all involved. I was particularly impressed by the design and attention to detail that has gone into this facility” – Barry Ashcroft, Deputy CEO – Aged Care Queensland

Awards

2012 Aged Care Queensland Environmental Sustainability Awards: Build Design Award
2011 ACAA National Building Awards: New Extra Services Facility
2011 AIA Queensland State Architecture Awards: Multiple Housing: State Commendation
2011 AIA Brisbane Regional Architecture Awards: Multiple Housing: Regional Commendation

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