A major project for an area of Sunderland which has seen substantial regeneration in recent years, the centre is comprised of a large community centre joined seamlessly with a substantial primary care health facility to provide a fully integrated one-stop shop for the local community. The new centre serves some of the city’s most deprived wards, with the highest incidence of coronary heart disease and lung disease in the city, linked to smoking, diet and lack of exercise. A Council study highlighted the fact that health was a major issue in the area, and recommended that programmes be put in place to raise awareness about healthy living. The three storey building balances the aesthetic stature expected of a prestigious landmark civic building with the welcoming accessibility required of a community facility to encourage a sense of ownership by its users. Located on the crest of a hill at Hylton Castle, Sunderland, the new facility accommodates 13 different users including Sunderland Housing Group; a NHS diagnostic and treatment centre, parts of which operate 24/7, complete with a walk-in centre, large GP practice and retail pharmacy; a new Wellness Centre; an adult and community learning centre; a Customer Service Centre offering advice and information on a range of Council services; a state-of-the-art community library and information point incorporating an electronic village hall; a new 20-space SureStart nursery and outside play area providing activities and training for parents and the under fives; plus community-run facilities, including a meeting hall, multipurpose meeting rooms, café, kitchen and office facilities. With spacious atria linking these departments, the Centre is a highly user-friendly facility tailored towards maximum community benefit. Further information High specification materials such as a standing seam aluminium roof and powder coated aluminium panels were used, maximizing durability and elegance. The design also employs low energy solutions which maximise the use of natural daylight and passive ventilation whilst minimising the use of non-renewable energy sources. The site presented some challenges to the design team. Already home to the existing Sunderland Housing Group’s offices, the need to retain the current facility whilst construction is carried out, combined with severe site gradients and the existence of quarries in close proximity, were important in shaping the final design. Bunny Hill builds on the success of the city’s flagship Hetton Centre, also designed by Waring and Netts, which has proved a huge success since opening to the public in April 2004.