The building was government-funded and contains Administration, Therapy Spaces and Day Care within a secure perimeter, on land donated by James Cook University.
The University has several notable buildings from its foundation by then-campus architect Jim Birrell. Since then, the campus has evolved into a mixed bag of styles and materials. Although Townsville is the dry tropics, the gifted land is adjacent to a water course that has given rise to a wonderful stand of trees with a magical clearing in the centre.
In our discussions with the client, it became apparent that the building needed to strike a very particular chord for the visiting children, many of whom are disaffected and prone to shutting the world out, especially those who are trying to get close and help. Often the best progress is made with such kids by being indirect or covert—and this applies as much to the approach of staff as to the architecture.
The building was conceived as a ‘serious’ public building for kids, achieved by referencing Birrell’s work with the right mix of firmness and delight. It makes the most of the setting by recognising the therapeutic benefits of landscape and placing the therapy spaces in the clearing, directly engaging with the surrounding trees.
This organisation deals with tough issues in a very tender way. The architectural response is in kind.
