Beyond Early Learning Centre, SA
Client:
Brown Falconer
Location:
Mount Gambier, SA
A childcare space that connects children with the outdoors.
What we did
Tonkin was engaged by Brown Falconer to provide structural, civil, geotechnical and traffic engineering for the one storey 600m2 Beyond Early Learning Centre development in Mount Gambier.
The brief for the project was to design a facility that is unique, stylish, modern and provide connection to nature so that children develop a connection to the outdoors. The design was to be aesthetic, while also functional with attention focusing on noise levels, air quality, and natural light.
Tonkin undertook geotechnical investigations, retaining wall and carpark designs, traffic assessments, structural designs for landscape features, and the on-ground floor slabs and footings. Tonkin also produced the full civil documentation for the site.
The new Beyond Early Learning Centre site includes a bright welcoming entry, staff administration areas, a laundry, dining area, fully equipped kitchen and spaces that provide care for babies to 5-year-olds. The external spaces are surrounded by secure fencing and feature nature play spaces and a variety of children’s play equipment.
The brief for the project was to design a facility that is unique, stylish, modern and provide connection to nature so that children develop a connection to the outdoors. The design was to be aesthetic, while also functional with attention focusing on noise levels, air quality, and natural light.
Tonkin undertook geotechnical investigations, retaining wall and carpark designs, traffic assessments, structural designs for landscape features, and the on-ground floor slabs and footings. Tonkin also produced the full civil documentation for the site.
The new Beyond Early Learning Centre site includes a bright welcoming entry, staff administration areas, a laundry, dining area, fully equipped kitchen and spaces that provide care for babies to 5-year-olds. The external spaces are surrounded by secure fencing and feature nature play spaces and a variety of children’s play equipment.
Scope of works
Throughout the process design, our team delivered concept structural design options, ongoing schematic designs, contributing to value management reviews, preparing tender documentation, and providing construction-phase support as part of a coordinated and efficient design approach.
How we made a difference
Our structural engineers worked with the Architectural team to optimise floor plans to accommodate prefabricated trusses and wall frames rather than a
conventional structural steel solution which presented cost savings to the project.
Structural timber was utilised as a local sustainable product for use throughout the exposed verandah and covered learning areas.
Locating the floor level of the building lower than the adjacent road levels presented some challenges for the civil team with stormwater management. Our engineers provided a robust solution and with finesse of the siteworks levels were able to produce a design that eliminated the need for a pumped
solution.
conventional structural steel solution which presented cost savings to the project.
Structural timber was utilised as a local sustainable product for use throughout the exposed verandah and covered learning areas.
Locating the floor level of the building lower than the adjacent road levels presented some challenges for the civil team with stormwater management. Our engineers provided a robust solution and with finesse of the siteworks levels were able to produce a design that eliminated the need for a pumped
solution.
What we achieved
Tonkin were able to provide a sustainable and modern design that can provide chilren a connection with the environent and promote authentic opportunities to develop and foster positive relationships.