[3] The campus size is not much bigger than a large residential block in the area, which creates a lively density of play spaces, trees and buildings.

It was designed for multi-purpose use and with its octagonal shape it was a clear departure from the usual nave-like school halls.

[5] In 1959 Kevin Borland and Geoff Trewenack designed glazed pyramidal skylights in the McCarthy-house that acted as a precedent of the roof structure at the Preshil school hall.

Borland wanted to design an informal building that referred to the kid's scale with a combination of small and large spaces.

Large, open classrooms with mezzanine floors that can be reached with ladders, provide the kids with an opportunity to isolate themselves from the group when they want to.

It was supposed to be a staff room, but quickly turned into the school library, with a good view of the site.

[7] Multi-purpose tutorial rooms (1939, 1969) The original rectangular classroom, built 1939, was modified by Kevin Borland together with Philip Cohen as assistant architect in 1969.

[7] The 'home-rooms' (1972) In 1972, Borland and assistant architect John Kenny built the irregularly planned timber building called the 'home rooms'.

S Neill's Summerhill School and at Dartington Hall where a number of well-known modern architects worked.

Preshil is an early and outstanding example of the interest of Melbourne architects, led by Borland, in inventive timber architecture, in structural techniques and expressive form, reflecting the exploratory lifestyles of the 1960s and 1970s.