Victoria
Mundaring is a two-level childcare centre in Cranbourne. The centre incorporates nine childcare rooms, each room leads to undercover play connecting seamlessly to the outdoors. Play equipment is brought in under the verandahs so there is less sense of where the outdoors starts and stops, and play is continuous.
The conceptual framework was initiated by considering the residential streetscape of the centre and subverting it through a play on the form and scale of roofs, so that the building, whilst referencing the surrounds, could present as a ‘community’ space and stand apart.
The exaggerated and overlapping roof forms were developed to appear like origami folds and were aimed to be reflected in all dimensions and scales. The design used scale to create interesting impressions for children using the space and create a heightened sense of awareness of one’s surroundings and initiate opportunities for interaction with the space.
Our new childcare centre embodies the homeliness of the original centre it replaced, even as a new building. We wanted to make sure the families continued to feel welcome and comfortable – the new centre achieves this goal.
In particular, the indoor-outdoor connection is so inviting and easy to access which has meant that it works incredibly well with the flow of the childcare program daily.
We worked closely with the architects and as a result the new centre exemplified our needs. It is a beautiful, functional space to work in and feedback from our community has been so positive.
Cecilia Young, Graduate of Architecture
Daniel Sykes, Project Architect
Oliver Hodge, Graduate of Architecture
Philippa Carr, Design Architect
Sonya Chellapermal, Graduate of Architecture
Barefoot Projects, Landscape Consultant
Beveridge Williams, Town Planner
Edison Consultants, Services Consultant
KD Engineering, Structural Engineer
Sampson Wong Associates, Building Surveyor
TAD Design, Planning Documentation
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.
