The aim is to create a consistently high quality health and social care service that everyone can access easily and provide services as a single integrated system focused on individuals, families, communities and the health of the population as a whole.The services to be offered from the building include: Customer Services Area, General Practice Services, Public Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Work Speech and Language Therapy, Mental Health, Community Welfare Dental Services. The building will also provide: office accommodation for administrative staff, conferencing and meeting facilities as well as staff rest and welfare areas.
The site for the proposed building is c. 0.95 Hectares in extent, and is located to the east of Central urban area of Ballincollig town and is directly opposite the approach from the historic Ballincollig East gate. The site is roughly rectangular in shape and it can be approached from the South through the historic Ballincollig East Gate, from the west from Ballincollig urban centre and the North via an unnamed cul de sac road leading to the local Community Nursing Unit and Ballincollig GAA grounds. Parking is proposed along the western site of the site in a surface carpark which will be landscaped and screened appropriately. This simple arrangement and location is easily accessible off Old Fort Road.
It is important that the centre is of an appropriate scale and recognisable as being a public building in the urban setting of the surrounding environment. The building design addresses both the approach from Ballincollig Gate and the approach from Town Centre. It provides a Landmark/focal point with a strong visual presence on the approach from both directions.
To achieve the requirements of the brief, a largely rectangular building with an efficient central courtyard are proposed. This allows space for all the accommodation, it provides a visual and attractive relief for the occupants and users and also brings nature and daylight to the centre of the building.
The building houses many departments and services, all serving the public and the local community. Multi storey accommodation around a central lobby overlooking the courtyard garden is proposed. This allows short and direct connection via a lift or stairs from the front entrance and reception to the different departments.
