Located on the campus of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Parkville, the Professor Lynn Corcoran Early Learning Centre: FROEBEL Parkville is a purpose-built vertical early learning facility supporting the Institute’s research community. Developed in partnership with not-for-profit provider FROEBEL Australia, the Centre focuses on bilingual early education and inquiry-based STEM learning.

Designed within a tight 400m² footprint, the multi-storey centre accommodates up to 100 children from 3 months to 5 years of age, including a fully integrated funded Kindergarten Program. The vertical layout includes external, north-facing adventure play terraces on each level, offering light-filled, sensory-rich environments with views across University High School’s playing fields.

The outdoor play areas support active learning through tactile experiences such as water play, sandpits, planting, and sound-based elements. Seasonal and edible gardens contribute to the sensory environment, while a variety of open and enclosed settings encourage both social interaction and quiet reflection.

The design reflects a strong commitment to cultural inclusion through close engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders, integrating cultural elements into the space as part of a broader reconciliation strategy.

FROEBEL Parkville sets a new benchmark for vertically stacked early learning environments, enabling families working in the Parkville medical precinct to access high-quality early education that supports both professional and personal wellbeing.