The Coburg Children’s Centre is a careful adaption of Pentridge G Division. The original building, on the Victorian Heritage Register, was constructed in 1875 as part of the notorious Pentridge Gaol Complex for specific use as a female reformatory facility. The building was a symmetrically planned and differentiated from the predominant Pentridge bluestone construction by use of red brick on a bluestone plinth with feature contrasting yellow bricks to external openings and corners. 

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The Coburg Centre comprised 5 rooms for 120 childcare places with associated outdoor play areas, administration and support spaces as well as Maternal Child and Health (MCH) facilities.  Accommodating this program on a the tightly constrained site necessitated additional building area interconnected with the G division structure.  

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The success of this conversion of G Division relies on maintaining the ability to interpret the at times, grim social and cultural heritage of the building whilst at the same time, create a nurturing environment for children, staff and visitors. 

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The unique history and architectural detailing is strongly reflected in the use and detail of new external masonry walls, articulated  through orientation, size, colour, texture and articulated setbacks between surfaces.

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photography Drew Echberg