Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan people
NSW
The Cobar Early Learning Centre is part of the Ward Oval Precinct masterplan which positioned the childcare centre carefully to be co-located to the local public school and as a part of the sporting and cultural life of the town.
If it is true that it takes a village to raise a child – it follows that a childcare centre should mimic the attributes of the ideal village. The design for Cobar ELC integrates a courtyard form to enclose and protect the landscaped play space at its core similar to a town square. This allows the building to control entry points, deals with privacy and surveillance, creates internal spaces with lots of natural light and surrounds the outdoor playspaces with active and deeply shaded verandahs.
Cobar Early Learning Centre in NSW’s north west is a thoughtful and resilient project that delivers outstanding environmental and community outcomes. Operating in a remote and arid climate, DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design showcase the importance of good design that balances passive and active systems. It incorporates shaded, openable facades, natural daylight, mixed-mode ventilation, and a 25kW solar array. This ensures it is comfortable year-round for preschool children and teachers. Rainwater harvesting, careful siting to preserve existing trees, and low-embodied carbon material choices reflect a deep sustainability ethos.
Robust, flexible, and community-led, this project exemplifies sustainable design grounded in place and purpose.
The design of the early learning centre enhances children’s learning by offering flexible, adaptable spaces, and abundant natural light. It promotes health and well-being with functional indoor-outdoor play zones as well as well-appointed quiet spaces. Collaboration is encouraged through well-designed staff areas, that include a designated programming room and separate meeting/training room. Sustainability is prioritised with energy-efficient features and a modern layout for resource management. The centre ensures inclusivity with accessible design and cultural sensitivity, creating a welcoming, supportive environment for all children. Overall, the design fosters creativity, well-being, collaboration, and efficiency, benefiting staff, children and their families.
Ashley Dunn, Design Architect
Lee Hillam, Design Architect
Carlos Veas, Project Architect
Geremy Yip, Project Architect
Scott Finlayson, Graduate of Architecture
Nailah Masagos, Graduate of Architecture
Cobar Shire Council, Developer
NSW Public Works, Project Manager
PMI Engineers, Structural Engineer
JHA Consulting Engineers, Services Consultant
JHA Consulting Engineers, Civil Consultant
Somewhere Landscape Architects, Landscape Consultant
DC Partnership, BCA, Access, Fire Safety
Lyle Marshall & Partners, Traffic Engineer
Cini Little Australia, Kitchen Consultant
Altus Group, Cost Consultant
Langford & Rowe Consulting Surveyors, Building Surveyor
Wade Ryan Contracting, Arborist
Jelly Design, Graphics
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
