The Gadigal and Birrabirragal people of the Eora Nation
NSW
Nestled in the scenic harbourside suburb of Vaucluse, Harbour Early Learning is more than just an educational facility; the project extends beyond typical educational design norms, offering a bespoke environment that enhances children’s identities, expands learning potentials, and fosters a sense of well-being among educators and students alike.
Designed by SJB, Danielle Brustman and Supercontext, the project adopts a highly developed design language that maximises children’s engagement with early learning educators, nature and the local environment. There is nothing generic about this project. Each room, surface treatment, mural, tap, colour palette, and tile is unique to its location. Each play space is treated as an opportunity to stimulate the imagination of a child in ways that will enhance their learning and experience, contextualised to the natural beauty of the surrounding Harbour. Every surface adopts complex colour schemes that blend varying hues and texture through paint, materials and fixtures.
Our building, materials and interior design invoke a sense of playfulness using textured surfaces, colours and lighting. The windows of different shapes, sizes and levels, allow natural light and vistas of the community. The children have a sense of place and are drawn to the windows to wave to family or neighbours. Hand painted murals reflect fragments of childhood storybooks, giving spaces an identity which nurtures and enhances the sense of belonging for children and staff. The design inspires a sense of wonder and delight as children play, explore, make friends and share ideas about their world.
Andrew Daly, Design Architect
Jack Cooper, Graduate of Architecture
Benjamin Mitchell, Student of Architecture
Danielle Brustman, Interiors
Adam Haddow, Design Architect
Stephanie Hughes, Design Lead
Sevda Cetin, Project Architect
Yvonne Cai, Project Architect
Adams Engineering, Structural Engineer
Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects, Landscape Consultant
The Acoustic Group, Acoustic Consultant
Tree Wise Men, Arborist
Building Services Engineers, Section J Consultant
Blackett Maguire + Goldsmith, BCA Consultant
Zoro Consulting Engineer, Electrical Consultant
McLaren Traffic Engineering, Traffic Engineer
Luxury Heating and Cooling, Services Consultant
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.
