Project Description
Your Place Child Centre is situated in Silverdale, Auckland and is set amongst residential dwellings and large commercial buildings. Our brief was to create a contemporary facility with functional indoor and outdoor spaces for children, plenty of natural light and ventilation for quality learning outcomes, a dedicated break out space for staff. Most importantly the client wanted a building that was a legacy for him and his family so this was always my focus.
The site was subdivided from a larger piece of land to the size we required to adequately design and construct a quality Childcare facility for 120 children. The first floor is primarily for the children while the second floor is dedicated to staff and parents.
Design Features and Creative Solutions
The building forms are strong allowing the facade to engage with the street, the upper level extends to form a covered entry. Linea weatherboard and cedar makes for a balanced elevation in texture and contrast while defining the entry point.
Inside there are six play spaces off a main corridor, each space offering large open plan areas, making for easy supervision of children. Glass sliding doors used between rooms to offer flexibility of teaching, allowing borrowed light into adjacent spaces. Sky lights and celestial windows were used to ensure all spaces have natural light and ventilation.
Acoustics are controlled through soft furnishings, including vertiface composition acoustic panelling to walls and acoustic ceiling tiles.
Internal spaces flow seamlessly to the outdoors via large sliders, covered decks provide shade, reduce the passive heat build up during the summer while providing shelter. The outdoor play areas face north to maximise sunlight hours for children.
Containing quality facilities for staff the upper level has good visibility over the carpark and local views, engagement with the street and extensive landscaping which speaks to good urban design principals.
Sustainable materials and products either in their manufacture, reuse or maintenance costs have been used, including Linea weatherboard, and cedar cladding. Synthetic turf made from recycled materials and recycled at end of life. Water tanks for water re-use; LED lighting, air conditioning combined with double glazing throughout to assist with reducing power consumption.
This is a well-appointed and thought-out facility that met the clients brief in every aspect.
