Red Cross Wellbeing Centre

The new Cairns Wellbeing Centre “Pat Gosper Place” has been designed as distinctive accommodation centre providing a welcoming facility for people from some of the most remote parts of the state who are receiving medical treatment in Cairns. The centre was to reflect the Red Cross well-being model, with its sense of openness and homeliness, mirroring health and recovery. Regular contact with stakeholders and end-users ensured that this goal was followed throughout the design process.

The centre design responds to the distinctive needs and expectations for patients from rural and remote communities, many of which suffering from poorer health, reduced life expectancy and higher levels of disease and illness.

Facilities include:

44 rooms with en-suites, most with a balcony, including large family as well as fully accessible rooms, which open to natural ventilated breezeways acting as informal meeting places
fully equipped kitchen and spacious dining area allows guests to self-cater and be catered for
FoodCents and HandsonCare as well as spaces for visiting services – e.g. from the local Health, Homelessness and Family support services and Centerlink
Branch services and activities – a small retail outlet, regular morning teas and other social events

CA Architects have provided full traditional services. The project has been delivered on time and under budget so various art commissions were able to be included.