Woodcroft College New ELC

In 2018 Swanbury Penglase was engaged by Woodcroft College to develop a whole-of-site Masterplan, broken into over 10 stages over a 20+ year period.

In 2019, we were subsequently engaged to undertake detailed design of the first three major stages of the Plan, including a new Early Learning Centre, a new two storey Junior School building and a sports-precinct redevelopment with a focus on civil and carpark rework. The first of these three stages, the ELC, was constructed in 2020 and includes a new facility for 140 children, including a range of specialist learning areas with carefully considered internal and external break out zones whilst maintaining the necessary control measures. A new overflow carpark has also been included in a block of unused land along the northern edge of the College.

A particularly important part of the scheme is the relocation of an existing stormwater swale and its re-purposing as a new nature-play environment immediately adjacent the ELC. This space ensures a range of varied experiences for children, both structured and unstructured and presents a bold and dynamic expression from the street. The design draws inspiration from similar rock featured play-spaces in the Adelaide South Parklands and allows children to appreciate the changing nature of the seasons and the joy of nature-play.