urban landscape projects -silver  Award

Community Contribution

Design Brief:

Bridge Road School is a special needs school supporting K-6 students with emotional disturbance through an intensive, specialized intervention program. The brief was to design a new play space for “The Forest” area, a heavily vegetated, vacant parcel of land located at the back of the school - a natural rambling play space with a diverse range of experiences for the children to enjoy, in a safe and easy to supervise, enclosed area.

The area was to be shared by families with children facing similar challenges and provide a non-judgmental park-like experience to be used on weekends.

A large, covered deck for School functions, appropriate play equipment, sensory elements, a bike path, storage shed, yarning circle, picnic tables, low maintenance gardens, grass areas for picnicking and a BBQ area were included in the brief. The design was to be subtle and understated and feel like visiting a local community park. All items were to be fixed in place and non-movable by the children. Plant selection and turf had to tolerate moderate-heavy shade due to the existing heavy tree canopy.

Judges’ Comments:

This is a design that delivers a diverse and cost-effective suite of outdoor spaces for learning and play. It includes plenty of engaging elements for students, staff and families, offering play and exploration areas, and places to connect, while addressing the clients request to look like understated parkland. The large, covered deck area and open lawn spaces have created engaging areas for classroom learning and outdoor play experiences.

Designer:

George Adams
E.     george@ulp.com.au   

W.    http://www.ulp.com.au
Inst. @urbanlandscapeprojects

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