botanical traditions - Gold Award

Commercial - Educational/Institutional/Play Space Design

Design Brief:

This early learning centre was the initiative of a science and medical research institute. The centre is next to the Institute allowing mothers to return to work.

The project is in the inner city, multi-story, and with rooftop access. The design was to consider the future maintenance and sustainable design principles reflecting future trends and modalities,
whilst also meeting best practice guidelines set out for the early learning childcare industry. 

Each floor level of the centre is allocated an age
group and divided into indoor and outdoor space. This enabled the design of the outdoor play space and landscape of each floor to focus on the physical and educational requirements specific to the allocated age group. The provision of an environment promoting competence, supporting exploration, enabling every child to engage play-based learning and adapted to support every child’s participation was required.

All levels utilize different surfaces, along with various
surface level changes to add interest such as step-down wet play areas, bridges/mounds, and sandpits accessible via steps, beach entries and decking. Raised planters serve to section off areas for safety (designated swing area) and use.

Changes in surface levels are achieved through gently sloping mounds in the synthetic turf and a ramp entry is utilized for the sandpit. There is a donut area where babies can be placed to look up at the hanging features, and at the same time be protected from toddlers learning to walk/run.

Location ; Parkville, VIC

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