A PIONEERING PRE-SCHOOL

The Early Learning Village, an extension of the Australian International School, is a world-first, world-class Reggio Emilia-inspired facility for early childhood education. architects 61 worked in collaboration with Bogle Architects on this ground-breaking project, which was of a magnitude never undertaken before, catering to 2,100 pre-school children and 400 staff.

The state-of-the-art campus, a joint venture between the Australian and Stamford American International Schools, had to address a number of complexities and requests: the need to accommodate two international schools, to make a very large space feel small and intimate for young children, and to create an environment that is safe, playful and fun.

A model for future schools of this nature, the Early Learning Village includes facilities rarely seen in pre-school buildings: a swimming pool, a flexible multi-purpose hall, specialist subject classes and an external play area for every classroom, with a UV protective cover for outdoor spaces.

Typically, four classrooms are clustered around a central play space forming one block. The blocks are vertically stacked and overlapped, creating a playful environment and an interesting aesthetic as well as providing practical weather protection.