Goodstart Early Learning Centre Glebe & Brisbane
Early learning environments integrating sustainability, heritage adaptation, and operational functionality across two centres.
Client:
Goodstart Early Learning • Gray Puksand
Location:
132 St Johns Road, Glebe NSW • Level 2 119-133 Adelaide Street, Brisbane QLD
Status:
Completed
Sector:
Childcare
Photo Credit:
Goodstart Early Learning
Overview
Delivering Contemporary Early Learning Facilities Across Diverse Building Contexts
Goodstart Early Learning is Australia’s largest not-for-profit provider of early learning and care, reinvesting in its centres, staff, and communities. BSE collaborated on two centres located in Glebe, New South Wales and Adelaide Street in Brisbane, Queensland.
The Glebe centre is a $2.9 million redevelopment on a 905 square metre site. The project involved demolition of an existing secondary hall, refurbishment of the heritage-listed main hall, and construction of a new two-storey extension. The completed 1,250 square metre facility accommodates up to 68 children and includes internal and external play areas and supporting amenities. Constructed using cross-laminated timber (CLT), the centre incorporates a geothermal heating and cooling system and aligns with Goodstart’s broader approach to early learning centre design while responding to site-specific requirements.
The Brisbane centre is a 207-place, two-level facility located within a heritage-listed building overlooking Queen Street Mall. It includes age-based learning and play spaces for children from six weeks to five years, with 14 classrooms designed to open directly to outdoor play areas. The centre operates within a mechanically controlled environment while retaining the existing heritage façade. The project received the AILA Queensland Landscape Architecture Award (2018) in the Play Spaces category.
Our Role
Multi-Disciplinary Delivery Across New Build and Heritage-Adapted Facilities
BSE was engaged to deliver mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, fire protection, vertical transportation, and sustainability services for both facilities, from concept design through to construction.
At Brisbane, our work focused on integrating contemporary building services within a heritage-listed structure, ensuring systems aligned with the constraints of the existing fabric.
At Glebe, our role included the integration of geothermal heating and cooling systems within the new extension and refurbished hall, alongside coordination of services across both new and existing building elements, including the heritage building.
Outcomes
Integrated Systems Supporting Safe, Functional, and Sustainable Learning Environments
The completed centres provide early learning environments that support safety, functionality, and day-to-day operation in line with Goodstart’s facility requirements.
Building services systems were coordinated across new and adapted spaces, ensuring reliable performance across varied building conditions and operational needs.
Sustainability initiatives, including geothermal systems and efficient building services integration, contribute to long-term operational performance across both facilities.
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