See how LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® and CUSTOM BLUE ORB® come together to create a premium point of difference for a contemporary early learning centre in Hawthorn East, built from the adaptive reuse of a heritage-listed villa. The distinctive aesthetics of both LYSAGHT® profiles work together to create a distinctive architectural expression, the pinnacle being a unique arch framing the main entrance.
Nido Early School’s latest early learning centre is a contemporary childcare facility located in Hawthorn East, one of Melbourne’s prestigious inner suburbs. The quality early learning centre caters for children aged six weeks to school age and is limited to 68 licensed places.
This unique project, expertly designed by John Kachami of Vantage Architecture, involved the contemporary yet sensitive adaptive reuse and extension of a heritage-listed Queen Anne villa. The result was a new 550m2 centre, featuring six thoughtfully designed classrooms/learning spaces, dining areas, landscaped gardens and a car park.
Both indoor and outdoor environments were developed according to the organisation’s design principles, which place children at the centre of every learning environment. The layout was purposely designed to enable the centre’s Reggio Emilia approach, where the physical environment is considered the “third teacher” and prioritises supporting not only children’s learning skills but also their aptitude for exploration.
LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® and CUSTOM BLUE ORB® cladding features on the entire roof, providing a beautiful modern look that harmonises with the heritage look of the villa. CUSTOM ORB® is the famous and original LYSAGHT® corrugated profile that delivers a pleasing textural visual with its uniform ‘ripple’. CUSTOM BLUE ORB® roofing is the perfect match to CUSTOM ORB®, manufactured from thicker, ductile steel and suitable for curving.
KLIP-LOK® roofing works in tandem on the back-of-house and low roof pitch areas. Featuring a substantial, bold rib rising from wide, fluted pans, KLIP-LOK® is a clip-fixed steel roofing profile ideally suited to near flat roof planes for supreme watertightness.
LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB®, CUSTOM BLUE ORB® and KLIP-LOK® are manufactured from COLORBOND® steel, renowned for its durability and longevity, making them well-suited to their respective applications.
Nido Early School Hawthorn East was delivered by Jardon Group and designed, documented and overseen by Vantage Architecture. Iron Projects was appointed as the roofing contractor. Glen Doorey Plumbing Consultancy (GDPC) provided performance consulting services for steel plate performance.
How CUSTOM ORB® and CUSTOM BLUE ORB® create a premium point of difference
While the primary driver for design was to create a premium point of difference, the main theme of the brief was seamlessness. Combining traditional and modern looks was key to this project, reflected in the result from top to bottom, with all elements united via shared geometry and material selections.
The combination of CUSTOM ORB® and CUSTOM BLUE ORB® is the hero of the composition, used for the entire roof, continuing from ground to parapet and end to end, in a manner befitting the brief. The iconic ripple of CUSTOM ORB® was a perfect match for the site’s existing heritage look, while CUSTOM BLUE ORB® provided the versatility the roof material needed to fulfil its curved design.
The most distinctive element of the 350m2 extension is the 5m CUSTOM BLUE ORB® curved arch that frames the main entrance, which leads into a generous foyer and reception. The design creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that invites families in, and transitions them into the multi-purpose children’s area and dining hall. The curved arch sets the scene at the very start of the user experience, reinforcing the prestige of both the facilities and the services provided within.
Precision in installation
The extreme versatility of both CUSTOM ORB® and CUSTOM BLUE ORB® was a defining factor in this project’s success.
Roofing contractor and installer, Iron Projects, did an exceptional job with installation from start to finish, despite some initial reservations regarding cutting CUSTOM ORB® on-site, and working the edges of the CUSTOM BLUE ORB® roof to meet the custom steel frame capping at the main arch framing the entrance of the centre.
“Given the complexity of the curved arch, there were some early questions around how we'd achieve both the design intent and performance requirements. In the end, CUSTOM BLUE ORB® proved to be the ideal solution. Not only did it pair well with CUSTOM ORB® across the rest of the roof, but it adapted well to the roof geometry. While cutting and bending the sheets required a high degree of precision, the team delivered a clean, consistent finish that exceeded our expectations,” said Brad Schram, Construction Manager, Jardon Group.
“Just as importantly, using a combination of CUSTOM ORB® and CUSTOM BLUE ORB® proved to be a commercially efficient solution. We achieved a high-end architectural outcome without the premium price tag, demonstrating that with the right product and the right team, you don't need an overly complex system to deliver an exceptional result,” said John Kachami, Director at Vantage Architecture.
A clean roof design, completed with KLIP-LOK®
The distinctive linear design of KLIP-LOK® – largely to its concealed fixing system – made it the ideal profile to pair with CUSTOM ORB® on the lower eaves of the centre. This was non-negotiable, with the builder set on this tried and tested product not only in terms of aesthetics, but also its supreme watertightness.
“With the lower roof pitches, it was important to select a profile that would deliver both the architectural intent and the performance requirements. KLIP-LOK® provided the solution we were looking for, integrating seamlessly with the overall roof design while delivering the precision and finish needed to meet the project's design objectives,” said Schram.
A flawless finish at the roof edge
The centre’s clean aesthetic continues with a steel plate at the front of the arch, a custom detail that allows the front – and therefore all fixings, laps, and terminations – to be concealed, extending the seamless finish of the roof. This is paired with a bespoke concealed channel gutter, which directs rainfall from the roof to the ground floor to be drained via trench grates, enabling a gutterless façade.
This was no mean feat, but it was critical to achieving a holistic, flawless premium look for the entire centre, dependent on the expertise of GDPC.
“Getting the entire arch edge of the CUSTOM BLUE ORB® roof was not as simple as following a standard capping process. The addition of a steel plate now makes the arch an important structural element that needs to tie back safely into the primary roof structure without compromising any of the capping beneath it,” said Kachami.
A harmony of old and new materials
Materials were carefully chosen to balance heritage and contemporary elements in this build, used in a way that continues the geometry from the outside in.
Natural timber was used to introduce warmth and character; its clean, linear appearance was achieved through the consistent use of a factory-applied finish to enhance its natural grain. It also reduces visible joints throughout the installation. This pairs beautifully with the red brick, terracotta roof tiles, and stunning stained-glass windows featured throughout the interior, bringing a truly special character to the environment.
“This was a project very much designed with heart and purpose, informed by a clear vision to bring Nido Early School’s thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor environments to life,” said Irene Kamau, Architect – Design Manager, Nido Early School.
“With children at the centre of every design decision, the project reflects Nido’s commitment to creating inspiring learning spaces that support exploration, creativity and development. Nido is delighted with the result, and our parents, children and visitors have shared wonderful feedback on what a great experience the new build provides. We are truly grateful to the entire project team for their hard work on this project,” said Kamau.
