This Sydney Childcare Centre Connects Children with Educators, Nature and the Broader Community.

This childcare centre in Sydney’s Vaucluse looks to match innovative design with educational philosophy. A collaboration between Melbourne interior designer Danielle Brustman, SJB Architects and Supercontext Architecture, the project extended beyond typical educational design norms to offer a bespoke environment that fosters a sense of well-being among educators and students alike.

“Our design strategy was meticulously developed to connect children with educators, nature, and the broader community,” Danielle explains. “This connection is facilitated through the thoughtful layout of indoor and outdoor spaces across three levels, each offering immersive thematic experiences.”

The ground floor portrays water elements like boats and seas, while the first floor draws inspiration from sky elements like sunsets and clouds. Each space is crafted to stimulate the imagination and enhance learning experiences, deeply rooted in the natural beauty of the surrounding harbour.

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There is nothing generic about this project or build. The designers made sure each room, surface treatment, mural, tap, colour palette and tile is unique to the room in which it belongs. Oversized windows create a dialogue between indoor environments and the natural world outside and hand-painted murals create vibrant and engaging spaces. Bathrooms and art sinks are fixed with distinctly fun curved D-tiles.

Not only playful, the design incorporates high-quality, sustainable materials throughout, ensuring durability and environmental responsibility. Finishes are raw, with exposed concrete used throughout the interior and exterior of the building and all other materials chosen to contribute to the lasting, enduring nature of the building.

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[Images courtesy of Danielle Brustman. Photography by Sean Fennessey.]