Harbour Early Learning, Vaucluse

Project Information/Data

Date: 2021-2024
Client: Harbour Early Learning
Location: Vaucluse, NSW, Australia (Gadigal-Eora)
Design Architect: SJB
Supercontext (Delivery) Team: Andrew Daly, Jack Cooper, Benjamin Mitchell
Interiors: Danielle Brustman
Built by: Verity Construction and Lloyd Group
Photography: Sean Fennessy, Hamish McIntosh

Nestled in the scenic harbourside suburb of Vaucluse, Harbour Early Learning is more than just an educational facility; the project extends beyond typical educational design norms, offering a bespoke environment that enhances children's identities, expands learning potentials, and fosters a sense of well-being among educators and students alike.

Designed by SJB, Danielle Brustman and Supercontext, the project adopts a highly developed design language and approach that presents in varying ways throughout the building to maximise a child’s engagement with early learning educators, nature and the local environment. There is nothing generic about this project or build. Each room, surface treatment, mural, tap, colour palette, tile is individuated to the room / place in which it belongs. Each play space is treated as a unique opportunity to stimulate the imagination of a child and engage with ideas and themes that will enhance their learning and experience, and is contextualised to the natural beauty of the surrounding Harbour. Every wall, surface and material adopts complex colour schemes that blend varying hues and texture through paint, materials and fixtures.

(above and right) Photo by Hamish McIntosh : the facade is a playful combination of archtop windows, steel fins and hoods with a rich materiality continued throughout the project.

(above, left) Photo by Hamish McIntosh: the middle level playground connects outdoor and indoor learning environments with corner opening sliding doors.

(right) Photo by Hamish McIntosh : the lobby features an open internal stair with blue perforated steel stair winding up and connecting all levels.

(left) Photo by Sean Fennessy

(below, right) Photo by Sean Fennessy : the central stair with off-form concrete and powdercoated blue handrails throughout connects all levels of the centre and offers views out through playful arched windows in the street elevation.

(above) Photo by Sean Fennessy : custom craft and activity basins featuring the iconic D-tile range throuhgout the centre

(right) Photo by Hamish McIntosh : the "Under the Sea" room

(above, left) Photo by Hamish McIntosh

(above, right) Photo by Sean Fennessy: designed by Danielle Brustman, the interiors feature unique themed motifs for each learning space - Under the Sea, Sky and Sunset rooms all feature custom murals and colour palettes

(right) Photo by Hamish McIntosh : custom craft bench with themed mural

(above, left) Photo by Sean Fennessy : the reception features custom joinery doors, benches and furniture specifically designed for the centre by Danielle Brustman

(above, right) Photo by Sean Fennessy : inverted arch windows and arched floor motifs

(right) Photo by Sean Fennessy : the basement car park features a continuous mural around the periphery on the external walls, bringing the experience of play throughout the entire project.