Lady Huntingfield Early Learning renewed and ready to welcome families

Having served the needs of its local community for over 75 years, the Lady Huntingfield Early Learning and Family Services Centre in North Melbourne has received a new lease on life with the demolition of the previous service, making way for a new two-storey building designed with sustainability in mind. 

The new, multi-functional centre responds to the needs of a growing and culturally diverse population and has space for 106 children on the ground floor, with maternal and child health services on the upper floor, as well as spaces for playgroups, family support, counselling and community services.

Sustainable design was a core focus when building the new service, which includes features that will help minimise environmental impacts over the life of the building such as:

1. renewable energy, harnessed through the use of a ground heat exchanger as part of the heating and cooling of the building;
2. sub-floor construction partially filled with basalt rocks to help pre-cool incoming air, particularly in the summer months;
3. solar panels to generate electricity on site, and energy efficient LED light fittings;
4. natural ventilation and good insulation, alongside motorised double-glazed louvres, a thermal chimney and large ceiling fans; and,
5. rainwater harvesting and water efficient fittings.

To learn more about the Lady Huntingfield centre, and other services for families and children in the City of Melbourne, please see here.