University of Western Australia Early Learninng Centre

Architecture Education Perth, Western Australia, Australia

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Description

The UWA Early Learning Centre outcome is an environmentally sustainable design with a fun environment for children to play, learn, and explore.⁠⁠
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Nestled into a quiet, leafy corner of the UWA campus, the building's single-storey scale and residential character relate well to the neighbouring residential area. ⁠⁠
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The centre is contained within a walled perimeter that meets noise emission regulations and acts as a secure barrier for the facility. ⁠⁠
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The facility includes zone indicators that provide information on energy consumption and acts as an educational tool for children.

Questions and Answers

What are the key moves and design principles?

Located on the northwest corner of the UWA campus, the early learning centre's single storey scale and residential character relate well to its neighbouring residential area and context.,

The centre is contained within a walled perimeter that meets noise emission regulations and acts as a secure barrier for the facility.

The building comprises three linked wings accessed through a controlled, single entrance at the central reception and administration.

A high level of environmentally sustainable design has been achieved with the inclusion of northerly orientated large and operable windows enabling cross ventilation and solar pergolas to north-facing elevations.

The facility includes zone indicators that provide information on energy consumption and act as an educational tool for children.

What were the key challenges?

+ Designing a high-quality learning environment that encourages spontaneous and serendipitous events.
+ Creating a space to coincide with the belief that children learn through play and that childhood should be filled with fun, wonder and exploration.
+ Designing an early learning centre that will be an example for future centres.
+ Creating a design that allows different sections to be opened or closed for the different age groups and their relative sections.
+ Controlling the egress from pick up and drop off.
+ Providing a natural play environment with maximum natural light whilst ensuring shaded areas are included.

What were the solutions?

+ An early learning centre that incorporates an environmentally sustainable design with a fun environment for children to play, learn, and explore.

Details

Project Budget USD 4,500,000

Project team

James Edwards
Hames Sharley Architecture, Interior Design, Landscaping