With a generational family history in childcare and education, having initiated two schools and several childcare facilities, founder John Kachami has experienced childcare design from both a commercial point of view and an in-depth operational and practical perspective. he translates this dual principled philosophy into inspiring childcare facilities fairly balancing curriculum and commercial outcomes .
Located in Melbourne’s south-east, our client lent on our expertise to help them develop a tailored response attractive to the childcare operators.
The slim shape and scale of the site, 15 metres by 100 metres, presented an initial design challenge. However, Vantage Architecture rose to the occasion, successfully achieving the 110 place centre that was previously deemed “impossible” by one experienced and well-known operator. Layering uses and spaces in an engaging way, the outcome considers and supports the daily requirements of teachers, carers, and children of various ages.
A strategic layout, upon entry children and parents are greeted by an inviting reception space that, beside the dining hub, serves as a welcoming transition zone for pickups and drop-offs. Lift access takes older children to their activities on the second floor while spaces designed for the needs of younger children are to the back of the building.
The facade design echoes the structural elements of a jetty, fitting for the coastal context. Rippling swirls are articulated into the ceiling of the ground-floor car park, while elegant but stable columns mimic the form of driftwood. The columns continue through the ground-floor car park to the upper floor where they support the shaded outdoor playground visible from the street. The facade of the upper level, with brightly coloured vertical cladding components that recall the planks of a pier, make the building eye-catching and identifiable from the nearby train line, greeting many of the target audience on their commute to work.
