Glen Iris Early Learning Centre

Design: Milton Architects

Client: Mike & Shan Pty Ltd

Completed: 2024

Value:  Approx. $15 million

Area:  Approx. 1200 m²

Location: Glen Iris, Victoria, Australia

Country: Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the East Kulin Nations​

This early learning centre project seeks to reimagine early learning within an urban context, prioritising a holistic and sustainable environment for children, educators, and the community.​ ​

PROJECT BRIEF

The design focuses on what is best for the children and how they can learn to become part of the community. It follows the importance of outdoor play for creativity, physicality, problem solving and intellectual development during a child’s early development has prioritised open-air, external space through the design of the building. Sections of the outdoor area are raised to create undulating surfaces that help children develop vital motor skills and create simple challenges that aid cognitive learning.​

THE CENTRAL OUTDOOR ROOM

The key element of the project is the central outdoor room. The outdoor room vertically integrates different children's age groups around a central circular void with a ramp. Children can see each other from different levels, creating a visually stimulating environment. The void offers the benefit of allowing precious northern sunlight deep into the building’s first floor to create a learning space with a strong connection to nature throughout the year.

THE SPIRAL RAMP

A spiral ramp ties the levels together. John Pesutto MP for Hawthorn at the official opening stated "This building is inspiring", “The thing that is most remarkable in this design… is that it directs you to look at the sky, and for our young kids that is the message I always impart: touch the sky, the sky is the limit”.

Milton Architects have, over time, collaborated with the Client, and Glen Iris is a further development of the evolving design brief. The offers best practice amenities for staff as well as children. Staff amenities include a gymnasium, end-of-trip facilities, the staff lounge, as well as program rooms. The design of the classrooms has been carefully considered and allows for the shared use of amenities; toilets, change tables, storage and food/bottle prep areas between adjoining classrooms, saving resources and prioritising the ability of educators to maintain supervision at all times.

​The client views the project as setting a benchmark for vertically integrated learning centres in Australia. The building has already received acclaim from the Taiwanese government and shall be used as part of an exchange program. Furthermore, the Department of Education Victoria has affirmed that the project is an innovative approach to a vertical learning setting.

CENTRAL OUTDOOR ROOM PANORAMIC PHOTO

PROJECT IMAGES