Tepees, forts, playrooms, art spaces, gardens and offices make up the playful microcosm that is the University of Otago Childcare Centre. Hidden behind the street front of five beautifully restored and cleverly connected villas, is a uniquely user-focused and safe environment for 140 children ranging in age from 0-5, where play and learning are seamlessly integrated.

Inspired by the journey from the mountains to the sea, a meandering covered walkway connects the villas to a row of five new buildings which enclose the site along the Water of Leith. These structures mimic the form and rhythm of the villa’s familiar domestic scale, cultivating a welcoming and informal community atmosphere.