Health Service
Client: Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service
Location: Walgett, NSW (Gamilaroi Land)

Constructive Dialogue were approached to support an expansion of the service, due to the success of primary health, allied health, counselling and family service programs. The design was required to create a culturally-appropriate, welcoming environment and flexibility to support changing programs. Building in Walgett is highly challenging due to the harsh climate range, trade shortages caused by the remote location and highly challenging reactive soils (moisture content change resulting in ground movement of up to 90mm in all directions). Key elements of the design included:
- prefabricating significant portions of the site using a pretensioned slab system
- developing a footing strategy that establishes a stable raft base to each part of the building
- developing a structure linking different parts of the building in a manner that allows movement
- enhancing outdoor, shaded areas to support social interaction
- sourcing grant funding for the client to allow planting, landscaping structures and other elements that create welcoming spaces