Early Parenting Centres
Multiple Metropolitan and Regional Locations, VIC
This significant expansion of the early parenting centre network across Victoria has delivered two upgrades to existing centres, and will see the development of 9 new centres, with each facility comprising two functionally independent buildings—an inpatient facility for residential family stays at the rear of sites, and an outpatient building housing administration and day activities—connected by linking structures.
Client
Victorian Infrastructure
Delivery Authority
Project Budget
$168M
Lead Consultant
Brand Architects
BRT Scope of Service
Building Services
Engineering for the
Technical Brief &
Template Design, and
Concept Design to
Construction Completion
Initially appointed to develop a technical brief and template designs for the extensive programme, we were subsequently brought on board to deliver the site-specific engineering adaptations to the selected project sites. We began by reviewing the two existing 1950s and 1980s facilities operated by Tweddle (Footscray) and Queen Elizabeth Centre (Noble Park), engaging with both operator user groups to understand their different approaches to early parenting support.
As the Department progressively brought operators on board for new sites, we worked to adapt templates to fit varying operational philosophies, advocating for end-users with VIDA while helping user groups understand the practical realities. We gathered feedback from completed buildings to gain operational insights into aspects such as
door controls, resident access to back-of-house areas and kitchens, and other key details, which informed service adjustments across subsequent sites.
Our involvement in the initial template development enabled an efficient rollout across all sites, with our integrated, multidisciplinary capability allowing one engineer to adapt designs to diverse site conditions. We led the design response to stringent acoustic requirements, conducting full assessments for each room type that informed mechanical system selections. Understanding how these facilities would operate, we designed modular air conditioning systems that enable future modifications as room configurations change recognising that some facilities might use spaces differently or need to adapt as operational needs evolve.