Sunday 4 July 2010
ONE of Australia's most well known eco architects has said it
would be a crime to pull down the old hospital building in central
Bunbury.
Mr Garry Baverstock of Ecotect-Architects said the old hospital
was well built, solid and benefited from passive solar energy
because it faced in a northerly direction.
"The building is a good size, located in an excellent position
and would take little effort to transform into a practical and
aesthetically-pleasing structure," said Mr Baverstock.
"It would take between six and 12 months to renovate and costs
could be recouped within seven years from rental income or quicker
if sold off as strata titled units," he said.
Mr Baverstock said part of the building could be turned into a
specialist research and outreach university centre with the
remainder adapted into single and double storey apartments suitable
for retirees and executives.
"A roof top garden could be installed with wind turbines and
photovoltaics and the domineering white balconies could be enclosed
to include conservatory-like rooms with sliding glass doors," said
Mr Baverstock.
"A floor to roof-top atrium in the middle of the building would
bring in more natural light, enhance cross ventilation and be
complemented with plants and water features to 'bring the outdoors
in'.
"It's really lateral thinking that is needed to make the
building adaptation and retrofit work visually and in a sustainable
manner while also being economically feasible," he said.
Mr Baverstock said a climate sensible approach to the site would
add 100 years to the life of the building and be an environmental
showpiece for locals.
"Bunbury people are aware of the impact and interrelationship
between weather, the environment and built structures," said Mr
Baverstock.
"They have experienced the terrible effect of tornados, strong
winds and storms and this has seen an increase in interest for new
and existing buildings to comply with climate sensible design
principles.
"Country people, particularly farmers, do not like wastage and
if a building can be reworked into something clever and practical
then it would win their support," said Mr Baverstock.
Mr Baverstock said Bunbury was a well appointed seaside city
with good access to major hospitals, government departments,
sporting and recreational facilities, schools, shopping districts
and was not far from Perth.
He said the old hospital site was also a short walk to the
library, post office, banks, cafe strip and the soon-to-be
completed Catholic Church.
Mr Baverstock said he understood the current owners of the site
had planning approval for a multi-use building, but works had been
held up due to financial constraints.
"Perhaps if they revisited their plans and included climate
sensible approaches then they might be more likely to secure
financial support," said Mr Baverstock.
"It would be worth investigating these ideas at a schematic
level and for a detailed feasibility to be prepared," he said.
Mr Baverstock said the cost to pull the building down and start
again would be two to three times the cost of a major renovation -
not to mention environmental costs associated with embodied
energy.
... / Ends
Further
Information
Mr Garry Baverstock: Tel: 0419 965227 or 08-9286 3811
(Journalist) Ms Jacinta Goerke: Tel: 0412
338813