High-rise and made of concrete, the Skyplay North Perth School of Early Learning is a childcare centre like few others.
An unconventional choice, the architects decided to design a sophisticated building for children. Indeed, the 114-child centre has traded in the traditional bright-coloured walls for natural and hard-wearing materials such as off-form concrete and plywood panels.
The concept of Skyplay is that children can have the best of both worlds – the opportunity to play in the ‘sky’ as well as on ground level.
Indoor spaces are directly adjacent to outdoor play areas and permanently undercover outdoor areas allow children to play comfortably year-round.
A double-height ‘studio’ sits at the heart of the building, acting as a space for performances and gatherings. Large glass windows were also used in the build to encourage children to interact with and learn from other age groups on different levels.
Located on a compact suburban site, this project required a different design approach to other childcare centres. Externally, the building is a deceptively simple three-storey form that sits alongside an existing 1907 heritage-listed police station. The architects carefully created a design both contemporary and respectful of the historic station.
KEY PRODUCTS/SUPPLIERS
- BGC - Class 2 Raw Structural Concrete
- Galvanised steel
- Planet Acoustics and Architecture - Birch Plywood BB Grade w polyurethane 2 pac finish
- Artificial TurfDirect – Synthetic grass ‘Relax 40’
- Armstrong Flooring – Natural Creations XL Vinyl Planks ‘Riverland Ash'
