Scotch College Early Learning Centre
Play space

Client: Scotch College
Year: 2016-2017
Collaborators: Taylor Robinson (Architect)

The Scotch College Early Learning Centre is a creative hub for young boys in Kindergarten and Pre-Primary. The design creates a calming and nurturing learning environment that encourages enquiry and exploration.

Two external learning and play spaces – comprising water elements, vegetable patches, a tunnel and a mound – invite non-prescriptive play in an environment reminiscent of the nearby Lake Claremont and associated bushland.  

Crafted from natural materials found within the locality of the school, the landscape creates opportunities for the young learners to climb, run, ride and balance as well as spaces for reflection, reading and sitting.

The success of the new facility relied on a high degree of collaboration between the client team (specifically the Head of Junior School and College Operations & Project Manager) and the design team (specifically Taylor Robinson and Four Landscape Studio). Regular meetings throughout the concept design and design development phases took place to ensure the design remained faithful to the College’s specific needs.

Images: Robert Frith (Acorn Photo), Tilly Caddy