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Healesville Sanctuary
AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE HEALTH CENTRE
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
- Designed by Minifie Nixon Architects, the Australian Wildlife Health Centre (AWHC) building is unique in both its function and form.
- The building sits in a commanding position overlooking a symbolic landscape which itself conveys key messages about the relationship between humans, animals and the Australian environment.
- The entry pathway includes a ‘soundscape’ that introduces the conflict between humans and nature such as the sounds of chainsaws, the barking of dogs and the call of lyrebirds.
- The AWHC landscape was designed by Rush Wright Landscape Architects in consultation with Healesville Sanctuary’s horticulture staff.
- The AWHC’s dramatic gold roof form is highly visible, floating above a textured wall. The patterns on the wall have been specially designed to represent animal DNA.
- Constructed from shimmering gold membrane, the roof form acts as a ‘solar chimney’ providing natural ventilation for the building, removing the need for air-conditioning.
- This gold membrane, which descends into the centre of the building, is designed to resemble the ventricles of the heart in the way it dips and curves.
- Inside the building, innovative interpretive elements by Cunningham Martyn Design, a cell membrane wall pattern and a range of interactive experiences including radio tracking, heart beat comparison, diagnostic microscopy, x-ray graphic interpretation and a roadside rescue display.
- Ninety-five percent of the photographic images featured in the centre are from the working files of Sanctuary veterinarians, giving the AWHC a real sense of authenticity.
- Interactive multimedia, produced by Result Media, is a key element of the visitor experience. Touch screens or ‘pods’ provide further information and hands-on activities offer visitors an unprecedented level of involvement which makes the AWHC a place of life-long learning.
Further information:
Nicole Humble
Communications Manager
nhumble@zoo.org.au
Tel: 03 5957 2856
Mob: 0437 170 566
Click here to download a PDF of the fact sheet.
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