The new Early Learning Centre at the University of Western Sydney, Parramatta Campus forms part of the University Masterplan, and was designed as a contemporary addition to the surrounding area.

Denis led the team, completing the design and construction of a new structure with classrooms, cot rooms, staff room, children’s amenities, covered soft fall play area, and parking areas to facilitate 64 children and staff.

The structure was suspended using screw piles that saved the client money over conventional bored piers, as the site is situated on a heavy clay base. The existing sheds were demolished leaving a clean site for construction. All internal walls of the early learning centre achieved a Class 5 finish, creating a consistent surface on the curved radii walls under all light conditions. Structural steel portal frames hold up the structure with heritage style brickwork to the façade that is sympathetic to the area’s heritage significance.

The cot room ceilings have thousands of fibre optic nodes to create an out of this world experience that assists babies in falling asleep.

The works were conducted during semester, with a zero defect handover and complete training for new staff at the facility.