Project:
851-853 Mt Alexander Road, 100 and 100a Buckley Street, 100b Buckley Street, Essendon
Location:
Victoria, Australia
Client:
Northwest Montessori
Date:
2023
The Task:
The client sought to change the use of the existing Church Hall and Office to a childcare centre with associated car parking on the subject site.
The Outcome:
Montessori has been operating on the site, in excess of 30 years with kindergarten services being offered on the site since 1977, due to the increasing number of families on the waitlist. Montessori is now in a position to add additional classrooms by converting the space available in the adjacent Church Hall. The exterior of the buildings and the built form were to be preserved, with the two buildings to be connected by an undercover walkway. Some internal walls were to be demolished, as per the demolition plans by Co-Lab Architecture. As the proposal sought to renovate the existing building on site as opposed to the construction of a new building, no trees were removed and so retained the vegetation on the site. The proposed use of land for a Childcare Centre will support the ongoing supply of land to support sustainable urban development and contributes well to the Essendon Neighbourhood Activity Centre.
