by Mandi Keighran
Indesign (Australia)
No. 43, December 2010-February 2011
pp. 94-97
As part of the Docklands feature in the December 2010 issue of Indesign magazine, the Harbour Family and Children's Centre was showcased as a centre at the forefront of its field in Australia.
Nestled between ANZ, Myer and NAB in the rapidly expanding precinct, Harbour Family provides integrated childcare services vital for the children of employees and residents of Docklands - the idea being to create a strong support system for families and community.
Environment is an important aspect of the centre, with the nine classrooms arranged in a V-shaped plan around a central courtyard, supporting the indoor/outdoor programme that places equal importance on inside and outside learning. This simple plan integrates the classrooms - allowing children of all ages to learn from each other - fills the rooms with natural light, and creates a single path of traffic for children.
The article also notes that,"instead of plastic surfaces and elaborate play equipment, the roof top courtyard, by HAS SELL in collaboration with Children's Landscapes Australia, is filled with robust plants and garden beds designed to be played in."
Matthew Mackay from HASSELl is quoted as saying, "In an era when we are witnessing a systemic detachment from natural systems, it is critical that our early childhood education facilities regain a focus on an engagement with natural processes and the environment."
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