Neeson Murcutt + Neille

Rosebery Early Learning Centre

The new St Joseph’s Preschool & Long Day Care centre is part of a wider masterplan for the St Joseph’s Rosebery Site. The site is characterised by its leafy, park-like setting, significant north-south slope and the St Joseph’s church building in the north-west corner.

The form and scale of the new building responds directly to the existing heritage church and desirable northern orientation. A gable ended form adopts the ridge height and pitch of the church while the main entry to the preschool is directly on axis with the entry to the church. A new forecourt between the two buildings creates a new north-facing community space while also providing equitable access to the church.

The layout of the building is direct, designed for excellent visibility and supervision. Play rooms open to the north to covered outdoor play areas, establishing a garden curtilage that conserves the natural slope of the site. An internal community space and associated external ‘piazza’ sit on the southern edge, overlooking the gardens sloping down the site. This is an important social space shared with the church community that is strategically located close to the entry, adjacent the kitchen and with visual links through to the children’s play rooms.