Upper Hutt Health Centre

The refurbished Upper Hutt Health Centre was reopened in December 2015 by Minister of Health Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman – well ahead of schedule.

The owners (Sinclair Properties Ltd) faced many challenges with their existing building. Before engaging Wright & Gray Architects Ltd, they had worked through several options including relocating to other sites. None of these had led to viable outcomes.

Wright & Gray Architects Ltd. led a fresh approach that resulted in a commercially viable and ultimately successful project. Key to this was:

• Questioning some aspects of the initial brief, including the tenant mix – this led to scaling down the project
• Thorough briefing and consultation with all stakeholders
• A credible cost plan and close involvement with project funders
• Early contractor involvement

Despite the high demands of a functioning medical practice, UHHC remained operational for the entirety of the complex and challenging project. Wright & Gray Architects Ltd. worked closely with Peryer Construction Ltd. and the Centre, to plan the work in stages and manage temporary work and staff relocations.

The brief included adding more floor space and internal re-planning. The building was also earthquake strengthened with each stage of the work.

The Centre accommodates not only a large group medical practice, but also a radiology centre, a retail pharmacy, acute care, a skin clinic, minor operations suite, podiatry and other specialist tenancies.

The frontage of the building has been developed to integrate new, upgraded, and existing. The Pharmacy was enlarged significantly and is given its own identity, with a bold, monolithic display window. The recognizable main entrance to the building has been simplified, with improved access, shelter and co-ordinated signage.

The success of the project was confirmed with the sale of the building to a new investor owner, soon after completion.

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Client: Sinclair Properties Ltd

Project Architect: Dan Thompson

Contractor: Peryer Construction Wellington Ltd

Structural Engineer: Sawrey Consulting Engineers Ltd

Services Engineer: Stephenson & Turner New Zealand Ltd

Quantity Surveyor: Rawlinsons Ltd

Fire Engineer: Holmes Fire

Planning Consultant: Urban Perspectives Ltd

Traffic Consultant: Traffic Design Group Ltd

Colour Consultants: Craig Hockly Design