As Melbourne’s suburbs grow denser, many young people no longer have the freedom to roam, explore and play as earlier generations once did. Outdoor space has shrunk, and children’s lives are often tightly scheduled. At Arlington, the opposite is true. Visitors are immediately struck by the scale and openness of the grounds and children instinctively respond to what’s possible.
The campus is a sanctuary to explore nature. It is a place with hills and hollows, trees and bush, water, sand, soil and gardens shaped by use rather than design. There are places to climb, build, dig, imagine and experiment. This is a living environment that invites independence, physical confidence and curiosity.
Children are trusted to test themselves here, while being supported by educators. The environment itself becomes a teacher—offering the conditions for creativity, resilience and learning to grow naturally, through play, imagination and real experience.
Heritage, Learning and Possibility
Preshil’s Arlington campus holds a unique place in Victoria’s cultural heritage. Located within one of the earliest subdivisions of Hawthorn and Kew, the site has been shaped with care since Margaret (Greta) Lyttle purchased the original Arlington residence in 1937.
Over time, the campus has evolved through a close relationship between architecture, landscape and learning. Eight additional buildings have been added, creating a learning environment that reflects Preshil’s belief that spaces matter and that how young people learn is influenced by where they learn.
Designed with Students, Not Just for Them
From 1959, Preshil worked closely with Melbourne architect Kevin Borland to design a series of buildings at Arlington. Students were active participants in the design process. Borland saw them as collaborators and clients, embedding student voice directly into the fabric of the school. Borland's own six children attended Preshil.
This approach resulted in a collection of playful and human spaces—buildings that encourage movement, curiosity and imagination. With unexpected levels, hidden corners, places to climb, gather and reflect, these environments support physical confidence, spatial awareness and creative thinking in ways traditional classrooms cannot.
The significance of this work was recognised in 1972 with the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter Bronze Medal, and again in 2005 when Arlington was added to the Victorian Heritage Register.
Imaginative and Inspiring Learning Spaces
At Preshil, learning environments are not passive backdrops. They actively shape how students think, collaborate, explore and express themselves. Every space is designed to support agency, curiosity and engagement, whether through play, inquiry, making or performance.
We approach improving and conserving the significant buildings entrusted to us, by balancing respect for heritage with the needs of contemporary learning. Refurbishments and remodellings are undertaken thoughtfully, with a strong focus on sustainability, flexibility and long-term use.
Caring for the Past, Building for the Future
Our Conservation Works Program ensures Arlington’s heritage is actively protected while remaining a living, working school. The program guides conservation priorities over the short, medium and long term, safeguarding architectural integrity while allowing the campus to evolve alongside educational practice.
This careful stewardship ensures Preshil’s learning environments continue to support what matters most: young people who are curious, capable and confident—learning in spaces that invite them to explore, imagine and grow.
Senior Studio, Opening in 2028
