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A CENTRE THAT TRANSFORMS EXISTING WAREHOUSES INTO A NEW BENCHMARK EARLY LEARNING FACILITY FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE

 
Lady Gowrie is a not-for-profit community-based organisation providing over 30 ECE (Early Childhood Education) centres across Tasmania, Australia. Their latest exemplary centre showcases their integrated and "through the looking glass" model, offering facilities for not only children's' learning and care, but family support services and staff training, becoming an early learning community "hub".





The new 2320sqm state-of-the-art facility is the result of intensive collaboration and workshops between the architects Cumulus Studio and the Lady Gowrie Tasmania team, with the architects even helping to procure the site. The chosen brownfield site cleverly adapts existing industrial warehouse buildings that used to house a mechanics workshop. The most transformative aspect is the large timber-clad structure that is playfully arranged like "jenga" or play cubes over the existing structure, forming a new entry and staff rooms.






Different levels connect effortlessly from the entry reception leading to the central sheltered courtyard with its transparent roof. Form here you can see through to the early education rooms/play areas (which are divided into 0-3 years, 3+ years, and a multi-use/aged room).










The integrated model of childcare, education and community is reflected in the architectures flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, and in the blurring of boundaries - to create a changing and diverse play terrain. Various functions and breakout spaces are collected around the vertical circulation, encouraging informal encounters and opportunities for learning (for both children, caregivers and parents).

Read down to hear from the architects Cumulus Studio....

CONCEPT DIAGRAMS






Q & A with Cumulus Studio


What do you see as the most challenging part of designing for early learning centres? 

For us, the biggest challenge in undertaking this project was incorporating the required amount of external play space on a restricted, urban site. Working with a former car garage we were forced to introduce a number of creative solutions to equip the building with a series of safe, interactive outdoor play spaces.

Balancing the competing needs of the educator and child was also challenging at certain stages of the design. To promote this balance we focused on promoting interaction and collaboration between the educator and the child, rather than supervision from a distance.
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Any tips or advice or learnings that you can pass onto future educators or architects who will be endeavouring to undertake this journey in the future? 

Now two years on from the project’s completion we have a clear understanding of what worked well and what we might change in the future.

In terms of the design concept, I would say it’s important to have fun, be playful and not be afraid of colour. The sensory engagement of the child was a paramount consideration in our design and I think this played a major role in the project’s success.

Child safety and specific educator supervision requirements should also never be underestimated by any designer working with early learning facilities.
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Can we expect any more centres in the Cumulus Studio pipeline?

We’re really interested in expanding our portfolio within the education sector. Right now, we are assessing inner city Hobart sites for another project with Lady GowrieTasmania and hope to have more details to reveal soon.
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DRAWINGS

SITE PLAN




LOWER LEVEL GREEN SPACE 

LOWER LEVEL GROUP ROOMS




MID LEVEL GREEN SPACES




MID LEVEL GROUP ROOMS




MID LEVEL STAFF OFFICES





MID LEVEL STAFF TRAINING




UPPER LEVEL STAFF TRAINING





LONG SECTION AND CROSS-SECTION


 

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