The Challenge Building was originally constructed in 1935 as a car sales garage with petrol pumps at the road junction to its front. The building was under-occupied for a number of years with unused spaces in the building suffering from leaks, collapsing ceilings and dampness. Remodelling the existing building was initially considered but discounted because
the frame, wall and window positions could not be adapted to suit the room sizes required by modern NHS standards.

The new design acknowledges the existing with its boundary wall reflecting the outline of the original garage; retaining the columned, concave main entrance feature and turning this into a positive street facing space; and by maintaining a strong rhythm in the elevational treatment.

The design makes efficient use of the space available with the building running along a similar street-line to that of the original Challenge building and the car park set at its rear. The building plan has an L-shaped west wing and rectangular east wing whose axis meet at the central curved core.

The new Medical Centre is set within the Lichfield Street Conservation area which is characterised by its quality, historic and notable early 20^th Century Civic buildings. The red and blue brick of nearby terraces and the Grade II Listed Hatherton UR Church, is echoed in the lower level of the building.

Upper floors will be faced in two shades of cladding to compliment the older ashlar and lighter brick walls of the Civic area, and to invoke a sense of durability. Consulting Room windows are set rhythmically in rectangular proportions to maximise daylight as those of surrounding buildings. Brick work is generally in stretcher bond, but panels above the main entrance and at parapet level to the rear will be in a contrasting vertical bond.