Western Springs Medical Centre, Rugeley

Role: Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Value: £3.8million

A high quality and environmentally friendly centre of well being which specifically responds to this important and challenging site. Situated in the heart of a residential estate, any new development was restricted to the hard standing areas of the former school buildings.

Designed around two blocks, linked around a double height entrance and waiting area, has enabled the mass of the building to be visually reduced. The curving form of one wing and the set back of the third floor expansion space has further reinforced this desire to reduce the visual impact of the building on all its neighbours. A palette of materials including local bricks, coloured render and cedar boarding has also enabled the elevations to be articulated to create a colourful backdrop to the new external public spaces.

One wing contains accommodation for two local GP practices, the second much larger wing provides for a wide range of compatible services ensuring that Rugeley can be developed into a centre of well being. This includes not only a consulting space for a range of PCT services, but also a day nursery with integrated parent teaching facilities; together with space for school nurses and social services providing counselling services.