Qscan College Junction

Commercial
ClientClayfield Property (Qscan)
LocationClayfield, QLD
Delivery Method Design and Construct
COMPLETION DATE2017

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Tomkins delivered the Qscan College Junction health precinct at 695 Sandgate Road, Clayfield — a 3,846m² mixed-use medical, retail and commercial building constructed over four levels with two basement levels providing 62 car parks. Developed for Clayfield Property on behalf of Qscan Radiology Clinics, the landmark development combines GP and specialist medical services with health food retailers and community spaces in the heart of Brisbane’s inner north.

The project is notable for the retention and integration of an original 120-year-old brick facade into a contemporary new building form. Complemented by modern claddings, architectural sunscreens and a 30m² living green wall, the completed facility has revitalised a prominent corner site on Sandgate Road at the junction with Wagner Road, one of Clayfield’s busiest intersections. The close working relationship with the client that developed through the base building led directly to Tomkins being awarded the subsequent 1,482m² Qscan head office fitout on Level 2 of the same building.

Situated on a tight corner block bounded by Sandgate Road and Wagner Road — one of Brisbane’s busiest inner-north intersections — the College Junction site presented significant logistical and technical challenges from the outset. With the new building constructed to all four site boundaries, there was no space on site for materials storage. All deliveries were coordinated just-in-time, with materials brought to site, removed, and returned as required. A counterweighted gantry supporting the retained heritage facade over the Sandgate Road footpath further restricted what could be stored overhead.

The retention of the 120-year-old brick facade was one of the project’s most technically complex elements. The unreinforced masonry wall, sitting on a 100mm concrete footing, required a coordinated engineering approach involving temporary propping, underpinning, piling and basement retention design before it could be permanently integrated into the new building structure. Midway through excavation, unanticipated groundwater was encountered at a flow rate requiring approximately 12,000 litres per day to be pumped to council infrastructure. The groundwater also compromised the initial ground anchor design, requiring the team to shift to hollow bar anchor technology to achieve the required retention system.

The external facade incorporated three types of composite cladding in multiple colours, metal cladding, face brick in two colours, rendered brick and architectural aluminium sunscreens. The sunscreen framing was engineered in structural aluminium to achieve the required spans, reduce weight and allow installation without craneage. Installation was carried out during nightworks with three lanes of Sandgate Road closed between 11pm and 5am. The living green wall required fire engineering review by both a structural and fire engineer before sign-off was obtained from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and the Building Certifier. The final approved solution included an engineered fire sprinkler system connected to the building’s hydrant system, installed after Practical Completion.

The project was delivered within contractual timeframes. The close client relationship formed through the base building led directly to Tomkins being awarded the 1,482m² Qscan head office fitout on Level 2 of the completed precinct.

“
The complexities of the site including preserving the heritage facade and unique requirements our radiology practice demanded were impeccably handled by Tomkins.
Dr Mark Hansen
Executive Radiologist, Qscan Services
Qscan College Junction street frontage at twilight with illuminated facade and signage built by tomkins
Qscan College Junction exterior with Qscan signage and planted green wall built by tomkins
Qscan College Junction illuminated facade with vertical garden and feature roof soffit built by tomkins
Qscan College Junction interior green wall and glazed balustrade built by tomkins
Qscan College Junction lobby reception with timber wall lining and indoor planting built by tomkins
Qscan College Junction boardroom with feature ceiling and circular pendant lights built by tomkins
Qscan College Junction corridor with glazed meeting room and reception seating built by tomkins
Qscan College Junction radiology equipment installation during construction built by tomkins
Qscan College Junction tenant pylon signage beside vertical garden facade built by tomkins

College Junction has established a new benchmark for medical and retail precincts in Brisbane's inner north. The 3,846m² development provides Qscan Radiology Clinics with a purpose-designed facility that blends GP, specialist and allied health services with retail and community spaces across four levels. The integration of a 120-year-old heritage facade into a contemporary building form has delivered a landmark that is widely regarded by locals as having revitalised one of Clayfield's most prominent corner sites. The strength of the relationship formed during the build led to Tomkins being directly engaged for the subsequent Qscan head office fitout — a tangible measure of client confidence in the outcome.

  • Total GFA: 3,846m² across four levels plus two basement levels.
  • 62 basement car parks provided for building tenants and visitors.
  • Tenancy mix includes Qscan Radiology Clinics, GP and specialist services, SmartClinics Family Medical Centres, PharmaSave pharmacy, and Wandering Bull Espresso cafe.
  • Heritage facade: 120-year-old brick facade retained and integrated into the new structure.
  • 30m² living green wall on the Wagner Road entry elevation, fire-engineered and certified by QFES.
  • Architectural aluminium sunscreens installed via nightworks with Sandgate Road lane closures.
  • Unanticipated groundwater managed with hollow bar anchor technology and ongoing pump-out of approximately 12,000 litres per day.

“A 120-year-old façade, a living green wall and a new Clayfield landmark, bringing heritage and modern design together."

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