In many ways the new Eating Disorders Residential Treatment Facility bridges between Health and Community forming a suitable background to the care and treatment of patients.  In this case helping to facilitate mental healing through sensory and social enhancement including providing a close relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces using landscape as restorative benefits to participants.  A secluded siting provides an ideal arrangement for this type of facility as it is located on a battle-axe block with public open space separating it from any street frontage.  It is surrounded by landscape and overlooks a pond with views to distant hills reflecting the biophilic design principles embodied in the Model of Care.  The aim of the built environment was to maintain a residential or home like feel to the centre whilst subtly meeting some of the requirements for metal health care.

Design of the centre is based on a three-pavilion (or building) arrangement which reflects the main broad functions and levels of mental health care and supervision.  These broad functions are, residential, therapy, and consultation.  Dividing into a pavilion style helps with the aim to have a residential low scale and home like centre.  It also helps to obtain a high level of access to natural light, natural ventilation, and landscape through dividing courtyard spaces.  The treatment wing includes a commercial kitchen and standard kitchen with dining area to assist with good food choices and preparation in a communal atmosphere. It also includes a lounge area and multipurpose rooms for activities such as art, craft, yoga and the like.  Staff facilities and consultation including medical assessment are in a stand-alone area near the entry.  In the residential wing the pavilion style is broken down further into a linear modular arrangement for bedrooms and adjoining ensuites giving each bedspace access to a window.  This arrange allows capacity for reduction or addition of rooms dependent on either cost or future demand.

The Residential Treatment Facility is an all-electric building with a 35 kW PV solar system and EV car charging facilities.  It is a highly insulated and sealed building with high levels of natural light and natural ventilation through operable windows and highlights.  It can run in full AC mode or mixed mode and the separated wings can switch off when empty.  Materials have been sourced to be either reclaimed, have high recycled content, or have low embodied carbon, whilst also providing health and wellness benefits.

The facility is unique and is currently the first government run facility of its type in Australia.

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