1+2 Architecture acknowledges the Palawa people as the traditional custodians of lutruwita, the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. We are committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
Alma Street Childcare Centre
LOCATION + TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
The Palawa, Bellerive, Tasmania
CLIENT
The Clarence City Council
STATUS
Completed 2024
AWARDS
2025 RAIA Tas Chapter - Educational Architecture Award
media
Not applicable
PHOTOGRAPHY
Adam Gibson
The Alma Street Childcare Centre is a council-operated facility dedicated to the care and wellbeing of children. It brings together childcare, before-and-after-school care for the neighbouring primary school, and training and support for childcare professionals.
The centre creates a safe, inclusive, and accessible environment where children can learn, explore and develop confidence alongside a practical and supportive working environment for educators and carers. The result is a community-focused facility that strengthens connections between families, support networks and the broader local community.
KEY COLLABORATORS
+ Builder:
+ Landscape Architecture:
+ Land Surveyors:
+ Quantity Surveyor:
+ Building Surveyor:
+ Structural & Hydraulic Engineering:
Aldanmark Consulting Engineers
+ Services Engineering:
Engineering Solutions Tasmania
+ Safety In Design Consultant:
Place
The Alma Street Childcare Centre creates a nurturing environment where architecture, landscape and learning are seamlessly integrated. Two distinct activity spaces, tailored to infants and primary-aged children, open directly to dedicated outdoor settings that encourage exploration and play. An infant courtyard is arranged around a mature tree, offering the promise of summer shade and changing seasonal colour, while a partly covered playscape provides a more active outdoor learning environment for older children.
Curved and linear forms, varied ceiling heights and carefully framed views contribute to a rich and engaging spatial experience. Strong visual and physical links between indoor and outdoor environments foster curiosity, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.
Process
Working within the constraints of a sloping site, the design process carefully examined access, topography, neighbouring residential amenity and the opportunity to repurpose an existing storage facility. Analysis of the site revealed the potential to achieve universal accessibility on a single level while minimising excavation and preserving important view corridors.
Natural light, outlook and opportunities for indoor-outdoor connection became key drivers of the plan. A simple organisational strategy emerged, arranging activity spaces around a central service zone to maximise flexibility and operational efficiency. This approach transformed a constrained site into a highly functional and adaptable community asset designed for long-term use.
Impact
Designed for durability, adaptability and longevity, the Alma Street Childcare Centre delivers lasting value to both its users and the wider community. Flexible planning and robust construction ensure the building can respond to changing educational and operational needs over time. Energy efficiency, responsible material selection and resource-conscious design reduce environmental impact while supporting sustainable operation.
Integrated community facilities, including meeting spaces and a carer resource library, extend the centre's influence beyond daily childcare activities. As future generations of children, families and educators pass through its doors, the centre will continue to support learning, connection and community resilience.
Awards + Jury Citation
"Alma Street Childcare Centre is a vibrant and thoughtfully designed environment that fosters curiosity, play, and learning. The project’s intelligent use of colour reinforces its conceptual framework, creating an inviting and stimulating atmosphere tailored to its young occupants.
Natural light is a defining feature of the design, strategically introduced to enhance spatial quality, promote wellbeing, and create a bright, uplifting interior. This thoughtful approach ensures a dynamic and engaging environment, supporting both visual comfort and the children’s connection to their surroundings. Alma Street Childcare Centre exemplifies excellence in educational architecture, setting a benchmark for creating nurturing and inspiring spaces for children.”
