Box Hill Montessori Early Learning
Set on a busy urban corridor, this multi-level early learning centre required a highly considered outdoor environment. Great Spaces delivered a series of age-specific play zones that balance safety, flexibility, and modern childcare design.
Brief
This brand-new, multi-storey facility was designed for modern urban childcare, with underground parking and vertically arranged learning spaces. The outdoor environments needed to cater to different age groups, from babies through to kindergarten, each with distinct developmental and safety requirements. The brief was to construct multiple rooftop and ground-level play areas that were safe, durable, and adaptable – while also accommodating waterproofing constraints and future operator flexibility.
Design
Working from the supplied design, our role was to deliver each space with precision and practical expertise:
- Age-based zoning: Separate play areas for babies, toddlers, and kindergarten children, each tailored to their mobility, risk profile, and learning stage.
- Flexible play environments: Extensive soft-fall rubber and synthetic turf areas allow educators to introduce moveable equipment and reconfigure play experiences over time.
- Natural play elements: Sandpits, log play features, and planted garden beds introduce tactile and sensory experiences within a structured environment.
- Productive planting: Planter boxes with herbs and vegetables support early learning around food, growth, and sustainability.
- Urban greening: Native planting softens the built form and introduces natural elements into a highly constructed setting.
Construction
Delivering this project required careful coordination and technical precision, particularly across elevated slab areas with strict waterproofing requirements. Rather than penetrating slab surfaces, we installed systems using built-up fixing methods to maintain structural integrity.
Planter boxes, soil, and materials were craned into position, transforming hard rooftop spaces into functional landscapes. Soft-fall systems were installed throughout to support safe, flexible play, while sandpits and garden zones were carefully integrated into each level.
Despite the complexity of the site, the project was delivered on time and on budget. The result is a highly functional, future-ready environment that supports evolving educational approaches while maximising safety, usability, and long-term durability.
