C&K Oxley Childcare Centre

This striking new childcare facility at Oxley resembles a three-storey tree-house above an imagined creek, which flows across and down the steeply sloping site.

Each level accommodates different age groups, and communal spaces and outdoor areas bring children together in nature

The design was inspired by C&K’s curriculum philosophy – “Building waterfalls” – which calls for environments that are open-ended, which invite spontaneous interactions, and that encourage risk taking, explorations and discovery to develop environmental awareness.

In essence, the environment itself plays a vital role as the third teacher, and children enjoy natural and secure spaces – with freedom to explore opportunities for literacy, numeracy, creative expression, and physical development.

Our design also incorporates elements that reference the cultural and indigenous history of the site and surrounding area, with Indigenous artwork throughout the project that recognises local connections.

Rather than seeing the sloping site as a problem to overcome, we approached it as an opportunity to unlock unusual spatial arrangements – both horizontally and vertically, and inside and outside – to create a unique childcare centre where:

• Babies are accommodated on the top floor, so they can view other children;

• Toddler rooms provide a range of activities and open to other spaces, facilitating more social interaction;

• Playrooms spill to outside verandas and art sinks;

• The outdoor dining area occupies the bank of the imagined Oxley Creek;

• An observation pod / cubby provides an additional multipurpose area – and facilitates imaginative play opportunities – 6 metres above ground level;

• A large proportion of the playground is protected from rain and sun, by the form of the building; and

• The natural playground features an Indigenous ‘Serpentine’ path, incorporating planter beds, yarning circles, tee pees, a chicken coop and natural creative areas.

Stepping down the steeply sloping site, the form of the building respects the bulk, height and setbacks of its residential neighbours.

Once inside, it opens up to reveal an otherworldly ‘tree house’ over the imagined Oxley Creek. This “creek” is the central element that anchors all of the other design components.

From Seventeen-Mile Rocks Road – at the top of the site – the “creek” runs across the L3 carpark, entering the building as a “waterfall” adjacent to a large outdoor playground, before flowing through the ablutions on L2, then transforming into a slide down to L1, where it morphs again, this time into an Indigenous “Serpentine” dry creek bed, which runs through the rear landscaped area.

Connecting to the “creek” at various points, the spaces across all three levels resemble different parts of the 'tree house'.

L3: Within the canopy

• The Reception area ceiling is covered with acoustic leaves, foliage, and hanging nuts and lights;

• The Babies and Toddler rooms have silhouetted leaves on the ceiling, also mimicking the tree canopy.

L2: Under the canopy

• The dining area waterfall and creek has rocks, foliage and animals painted throughout, by an Indigenous artist;

• The ceilings of the Pre-Kindy Kindy rooms are acoustic blades that resemble the tree’s major branches.

L1: Ground level

• The walls feature tree trunks, animals and totems, reflecting yesteryear, all painted by an Indigenous artist.

Internally, the design features timber and plywood fixtures and furniture throughout, which help to accentuate connections to the forest and natural world. Vinyl floors feature a timber pattern with herringbone overlay for ‘nature’ wayfinding.

In addition, the colour palette was selected to be ASD-friendly, based on our research and testing completed on other projects. 

This project fulfills the brief to spark the imaginations of the children who attend the centre, and provides an ideal backdrop for them to enjoy play-based educational development.

2020 LEA Queensland Awards – Winner – Excellence in Education Facility Design, Landscaping / Outdoor Learning Area

2020 LEA Queensland Awards – Commendation – Excellence in Education Facility Design, New Construction / Entire New Educational Facility