Play it Forward

Hubo Studio Sets a New Benchmark for Educational Design, Implementing the Reggio Emilia Approach in Sandton’s Redhill Early Learning Centre

Deeply passionate about reimagining educational environments, Hubo Studio’s projects merge philosophy with architectural innovation to create spaces that inspire growth, curiosity, and creativity. Their latest project, the Redhill Early Learning Centre in Sandton, is no exception; a state-of-the-art educational facility inspired by the renowned Reggio Emilia Approach from Italy. Guided by this philosophy, the centre emphasises that children are not only learners of the future but active citizens of today — artists, researchers, and innovators in their own right.

A complete collaboration
The design process began by spending a week in Reggio Emelia, Italy, on an international study group venture. A unique and unusual experience for architects, the result is a continued transformation of how the team sees education and space, changing the way the studio views children and what they have to offer. As a result, the project is a complete collaboration between nature, the kids, and Hubo.

Consulting the ‘little clients’
The site was inherited from a previous architect that had bulldozed and levelled the sloped and treed space. Following the study group, Hubo worked to incorporate the Reggio approach in conceptualising the design of the building, beginning with workshops held on-site with their ‘little clients’. From these first workshops, it became clear that there was a deep sadness around the loss of the trees cleared from the site and the feeling of cover and safety. In response, Hubo’s first move was to settle the building into the ground, lowering the ground floor to sit within the earth, thus returning the feeling of embrace. A large number of trees were also reintroduced, with those lost referenced in repetitive patterns forming the language of the school.

Softening boundaries
Capturing the essence of this design philosophy, the architectural centrepiece is an African piazza, a vibrant reinterpretation of the traditional Italian town square, designed to foster interaction and community. This dynamic heart of the school is encircled by four ateliers — creative studio spaces that encourage hands-on exploration, experimentation, and collaborative learning. Each atelier is shared by four classrooms, creating a fluid learning environment where boundaries between grades are softened. Grade 1 and Grade R students can easily interact, learn from each other, and grow together.

Structured learning, spontaneous discovery
The ateliers aren’t just single rooms — they are vertical, multi-level wonderlands, each featuring amphitheatre spaces, light rooms, rooftop gardens, and art studios. These spaces serve as extensions of the classroom, encouraging students to engage in group projects, productions, and creative problem-solving in a setting that feels more like a professional art or architecture studio than a traditional classroom. This innovative design allows for both structured learning and spontaneous discovery, blending the indoors with the outdoors in a seamless, organic flow.

Playful architecture
Beyond the academic spaces, Hubo also thoughtfully incorporated play and daily life into the architecture. Rooftop soccer fields and garden play spaces with tunnels, hills, and hidden corners offer children endless opportunities for exploration, movement, and imaginative play. Even the kitchens are part of the learning experience, where children can watch healthy food being prepared, smell fresh ingredients, and participate in cooking and baking, integrating sensory learning with practical life skills.

A journey through exploration
The architectural attention to detail extends to every aspect of the school, from the furniture to the spatial layout. Each design choice has been made with the child’s perspective in mind, ensuring that the environment is not overwhelming but instead perfectly scaled to their needs — creating a world that feels both magical and approachable. The result is a learning space that feels like a journey through exploration, yet is meticulously organised to support both educational and emotional development.

Redhill Early Learning Centre is a space where children thrive as they move through spaces designed to stimulate curiosity and foster interaction. With a holistic approach that integrates Reggio Emilia’s philosophy with African cultural elements, the design challenges and transforms how we think about early education spaces. It’s a sophisticated yet playful environment where children are empowered to learn, explore, and grow in ways that feel natural and exciting, setting a new benchmark for designing early learning environments.

This article is an extract from our 2024/25 Coffee Table Edition. Click here to read the full issue.