Before the new parent-child center was completed, two old buildings had stood in Mulgrave, Melbourne for decades. One was built in the 1960s to serve preschool children aged 3-4, while the other, dating back to the 1930s, was an independent facility offering maternal health services. As more families with young children moved into the neighborhood, Monash City recognized the need to plan for the future. The new center, designed by AOA Christopher Peck, revitalizes this street corner and thoughtfully incorporates two eucalyptus trees on the site—one of which now serves as the building’s focal point.
Unlike the original site, where the buildings from different eras stood separately, the new design covers approximately 600 square meters and features a fan-shaped layout centered around the eucalyptus tree. This arrangement fosters interaction with the surrounding landscape. Additionally, an existing public road divides the site into two sections, frequently used as a shortcut by locals. The landscape design by 3 Acres aims to reconnect these spaces, ensuring cohesion and clear identity for the project.
The center is constructed using painted wooden cladding, plastered concrete, aluminum eaves, and exposed wooden beams. Two wings are connected by spacious curved corridors that can also function as extensions of the classrooms. “We wanted to unify the two wings,” the architect explained. “This corridor acts as an ‘overflow’ area. From the start, the importance of the eucalyptus trees was a key consideration.”
The building’s plan forms a gentle arc, while its sloping roof creates dynamic volume changes. This subtle design fosters a spacious and comfortable play area. Facing the yard, the center includes two separate rooms for children aged 3 and 4, with a bathroom, office, and storage space positioned between them.
Designed with young children in mind, the classrooms are playful and engaging. Large porthole windows evoke the feeling of being inside a submarine, while blue hexagonal patterns sporadically appear on the soft carpets, creating inviting spaces for relaxation and play. The design accounts for local specifics, such as window placement and fixed furniture height, while ensuring clear sightlines throughout the building.
AOA also designed linear fixed bookshelves in the reading area, providing a cozy leisure spot for visitors and contributing to the spatial flow of the entrance area. Curved wooden elements in the corners echo the natural forms of trees, complementing the stacked wooden beams inside the classrooms.
The center now fulfills young parents’ wish to play indoors with their children by converting part of the maternal health area into a playground—ideal for those waiting for a counselor. Where once architecture and landscape stood apart, now children can freely move between buildings, climb on stones, and explore the spaces in between.
Project Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ Section Diagram
△ Elevation Drawing
Project Information
Architect: AOA Christopher Peck
Area: 650 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Veeral Patel
Manufacturers: Alspec, Armstrong, Caesarstone, Cavity Sliders, Colorbond, Decor Systems, Gyprock, Rockcote, Sculptform, Shaw Contract Carpet, Vicbeam
Design Director: Christopher Peck
Project Manager: Gordon Lewicki
Project Director: Federico Posada
Assistant Architect: Nicole Withfield
Architectural Design: AOA Christopher Peck, Zayar Swe
Landscape Design: 3 Acres
Structural Design: Co Struct
Construction Services: MacCormack Associates
Location: Mulgrave, Australia
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up