The St Matthew’s church rectory building will be the site of a new medical centre following approval from Armadale councillors on January 23.
Under the proposed project a 195 square metre medical centre would be added to the rear and western side of the state heritage listed rectory.
According to city officers the addition would contain two additional consulting rooms along with staff amenities and patient areas.
The project received support from the state heritage council but not all community members are happy.
A Kelmscott resident who did not want her name published said the external architectural style, including materials and colours used, were too contrasting to the Federation style of the existing building.
“The proposal is not in character with any of the surrounding original early Armadale buildings,” she said.
“It does not resonate with the existing rectory building, showing a lack of respect towards it.
“This detracts from its appreciation and its cultural heritage significance.”
Project architect Kim Doepel said projects recieved no support from the WA heritage council if they tried to replicate what was already there.
“What they do want is something contemporary that is completely different to what’s there so the original stands out better in its own right,” he said.
“The whole of the building’s been kept including the internal fireplaces.
“The veranda has been retained and the look of it has been retained.
“We’re adding to the side of it which is on vacant land.
“Because its so different, the idea of that is it just highlights the old building…all the visual focus goes on the original building.”
