Lisarow Mixed-Use Development | Childcare, Medical and Commercial
Updated: Aug 28
The Lisarow Mixed-Use Development brings together a 102-place early learning centre with medical, physiotherapy, retail and commercial tenancies in one coordinated building on the NSW Central Coast. ARMADA Architects provided architectural leadership from concept design and Development Application through Construction Certificate documentation and construction-phase support.
Designing compatible uses together
Mixed-use development can strengthen a site’s commercial performance, but each use creates different access, servicing, acoustic, fire-safety and operational requirements. The childcare centre needs secure separation and dedicated outdoor play, while medical and commercial tenancies require clear public access, visibility and flexible internal planning.
The architectural response separates these movement patterns while maintaining a coherent building. Childcare arrival, staff access, public tenancy entries, vehicle circulation and service areas were resolved as part of one site-planning strategy rather than added as independent components.
Childcare planning and outdoor space
Learning rooms are positioned to achieve direct relationships with secure outdoor-play areas. Landscaped courtyards and perimeter planting provide outlook, shade and opportunities for passive supervision. The planning balances regulatory requirements with the operator’s need for efficient room connections, staff oversight and controlled access.
The development provides 61 car spaces across the mixed-use site. Parking demand, pedestrian routes, accessible access, drop-off behaviour and the needs of other tenancies required close coordination between the architectural and traffic designs.
Resolving technical interfaces
The project required detailed integration of traffic, acoustic, civil, hydraulic, structural, landscape and fire-engineering advice. Particular attention was given to acoustic separation between uses, fire egress, servicing, accessibility, stormwater and the interaction between childcare operations and the wider commercial site.
Glazing and building orientation were used to improve natural daylight and internal amenity while maintaining the separation needed between public tenancies and childcare spaces. The built form was articulated to reduce visual bulk and provide an appropriate community scale.
ARMADA Architects’ role
Site investigation, feasibility and mixed-use planning.
Concept and schematic architectural design.
Development Application documentation and consultant coordination.
Construction Certificate drawings and technical documentation.
Coordination with certifying authorities and specialist consultants.
Construction-stage architectural support and response to site queries.
A commercially robust approval strategy
The value of mixed-use design is not simply fitting several tenancies onto one site. The uses must be capable of approval, certification, construction and independent operation without creating unresolved conflicts. Early architectural coordination allows the developer to test yield and tenant mix against parking, access, servicing and construction cost before the design becomes difficult to change.
Lisarow demonstrates ARMADA Architects’ experience combining childcare architecture with medical and commercial development. This is particularly valuable for developers assessing sites where childcare can form part of a broader community and investment proposition.
Planning a childcare development? Explore ARMADA Architects’ childcare and early learning architecture services, including site feasibility, DA strategy, CC documentation and construction support.
