(click to enlarge)

his 18,000 square-foot retail and office facility was to be situated in the foreground of the vast Cape Breton Regional Hospital area. The proposed building aimed to address the imposing influence of the nearby hospital edifice, by respecting its cladding of brick veneer materials. However, the design of the Medical Centre proposed a less intimidating, more welcoming and friendly, neighbourhood "Village-Centre" image.

The architectural concept for the exterior incorporated a peaked-roof, central-tower element, thereby creating a strong, focal, visual landmark for passers-by. The tower would also establish a distinguished, 'front-door' entry to the building. The pitched, metal, "copper-look" tower, and metal-awning canopy, were juxtaposed against brick and block-veneer facades and bronze, anodized windows. The exterior, architectural design combined the visual elements of a modern building with the traditional elements of Maritime architecture, in order to portray a warm and inviting image.

The purpose of this proposal was to encourage discussion and promotion of commercial development in this neighbourhood, and to effectively demonstrate the growth potential and benefits to be derived from developments such as this.

Unfortunately, the project was put on hold as a result of a moratorium on commercial development imposed by a controversial, municipal-planning strategy.