DREAMSCAPES
ARCHITECTS

Delhi Rd, North Ryde 

Delhi Rd, North Ryde 

Address – 27 – 37 Delhi Rd, North Ryde 

Project Year – 2018

 

Sitting below 27 storeys of residential apartments at Delhi Road was a dream project for our interior architects. With full creative licence, our brief was to turn the ground floor of this mixed-use building into a unique and functional indoor/outdoor childcare centre for the families living above.

A blank canvas of concrete and indoor/outdoor space

Inside the building, we were faced with a blank canvas comprising of concrete and exposed services.  The aim was to turn this cold space into a warm, fun and safe centre that allowed for four classrooms, common area with kitchen, staff breakout area and laundry room, reception area and back office.

 

Scandinavian tones and textures

Building on the excellent space and light, we kept to a Scandinavian design throughout the interior.  Using oak on the floor and birch on the joinery, we created a warm and natural tone.

To disguise the heavy service columns and exposed ceiling, we shaped plywood to become functional, acoustically sound features of the rooms.

5-tier, plywood ‘tree trunks’ surrounded the columns to provide lower tier study tables and upper tier display areas for children’s artwork.  Using the same plywood, we continued the natural world concept with suspended leaf shapes from the ceiling to soften the edges.

 

Inspiring wonder and fun

This dream play area needed to inspire wonder and fun.  Inside, our designers installed a star ceiling with changing lights that mimicked the breathing rhythm and created a feeling of calm in the baby sleeping areas.

Under the semi-outdoor area, we created acoustic panels in the shape of ocean waves to add interest, movement and acoustic performance, which shielded the residents above from the noise.

Outside, the landscape architects coordinated their designs with ours.  Working with the undulating topography, the outside playgrounds incorporated various textures and experiences with six different surfaces including sand, grass and planted areas.

 

Safety in design

Safety was, of course, paramount.  From the sign-in and check-in system in the foyer to the magnet locks, glazing and integrated ‘mini’ appliances and shower rooms, safety was incorporated into every aspect of the design.