The new Sunkids Childcare Centre at Mermaid Waters is a place that truly redefines the idea of modern childcare design. Located in the heart of the Gold Coast, this visionary project was a six-year journey where bold ideas became reality.
Early in the design phase, the team at RealSpace Creative was inspired by the concept of “embrace”—the idea that a building could wrap around its occupants like a protective arm. The structure itself reflects this, with a large “hugging” roof that surrounds a smaller secondary building, symbolising the educator’s role in nurturing children.
Initially, the architects had intended to use concrete for the project, but the price was beyond budget. Switching from concrete to steel saved the project over $1.5 million and shaved 30% off the build time. By choosing Fielders FreeForm® steel roofing, the team unlocked a solution that was faster, more affordable, and beautifully seamless. Riaz Rezvani, owner of 9 Constructions said, "We can build it with steel and steel roofing, and it's much faster and much cheaper."
The bespoke roof was a particular challenge. It needed to be sleek, leakproof, and maintenance-free. By collaborating closely with Fielders, a stunning tapered roof was created using the FreeForm® product. On-site adjustments with our mobile mill ensured precision and efficiency throughout the installation. This provided a seamless, radial finish that was integral to the building’s aesthetic vision. Hooman Jaffar from RealSpace Creative reflected, "The details of all the edges were paramount to us, as well as the tapered roof form that the FreeForm® product was able to do for us."
The results? A childcare centre that’s not only functional but architecturally striking. Fielders worked closely with the architects, builders and roofing installers to provide a tailored solution that’s already the talk of the town. Sunkids Childcare Centre Mermaid Water is proof that with the right ideas and materials, anything can be achieved.
Watch the video to see how Fielders FreeForm® played a pivotal role in bringing this iconic roof design to life and hear directly from the team behind this extraordinary project.