Child care Center BUILDING DESIGN SERVICES
Looking for architects specialising in child care centres? Co-lab Architecture is a childcare design architect and a leading provider of architectural services for childcare centres in Victoria. We have worked in the sector since our conception and have designed multiple centres across the state for both non-profit and commercial operators. Our time in the sector has allowed us to build a good relationship with the Victoria Department of Education and Training (DET), the body responsible for licensing childcare centres. Our experience means we childcare design architects understand what DET require, essential knowledge in a sector that does not have a design guide and where town planning and building permits do not capture all departmental requirements. We are able to help our clients navigate the planning process, including meeting with DET for every childcare centre building project to preempt any potential issues or alterations.
Childcare design
Our clients include franchisors, commercial developers, landowners, syndicates, accountants and smaller development companies. We work closely with operators, drawing on our depth of experience in the sector to balance the varied needs of multiple audiences and users including parents, owners, developers, operators, councils, educators, and children. Our collaborative design process ensures our work will always meet the quality standard in a way that serves all stakeholders and results in structures that are both practical and of high quality.
Co-lab utilises leading technology to optimise collaboration with our clients. This includes developing a detailed virtual model of each project. This allows each client to interact with their structure, drawing on this experience to highlight additional changes required to meet their needs.
Co-lab Architecture is registered with the ARBV, and are a member of the Australian Institute of Architects and the Australian Childcare Alliance Victoria.
OUR PROCESS:
To ensure your project is completed to your requirements, we, architects specialising in child care centres, provide services throughout the entire architectural process. The Co-lab Architecture team supports you from initial concept design through to contractor selection and contract administration, including negotiating the town planning system.
1. RETURN BRIEF
In the childcare space, our child care center building design process is adapted to fit the needs of the sector. Because we know that every child care centre is different. In addition to the standard outlined steps, our architects develop a return brief for each individual operator.
After interviewing the childcare provider and their team we produce a return brief, detailing everything for the space that was outlined in the interviews. These interviews result in a more comprehensive and in-depth plan. By talking to our clients, we are able to draw out fine detail such as data points, ceiling fans and joinery.
This return brief is used to ensure all required detail is included in our drawings and the virtual model. In addition, it is used in the final sign off of all documentation prior to any construction. The level of detail used means the return brief often becomes part of the client’s quality assurance documentation.
2. CONCEPT DESIGN
Collaboration means better design. At Co-lab we begin every project with a design workshop, bringing together a team of childcare design architects and designers to respond to each brief in a unique way.
3. TOWN PLANNING
If needed, our experienced team are able to communicate with the local council on behalf of the client. This includes working with the assigned town planner on any objections or queries, as well as checking council obligations.
4. CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION
We then develop detailed working drawings that show precisely how the building should be constructed. These are used to apply for a building permit.
5. CONTRACTOR SELECTION
Drawing on our extensive experience in the sector, we support the client to choose a builder and negotiate a contract. We do this by obtaining quotes and comparing inclusion and exclusions, mediating between client and contractor to reach mutually agreeable terms.
6. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
We inspect the site throughout the build, independently evaluating variations and additional construction costs, ensuring the contract and design are being met.