In New York City, space is always at a premium, so we always consider the outside of the school to look for educational opportunities that augment the interior space. It may become a substantial new campus plan, a courtyard to make a tiny lobby entry feel more gracious, or a new playground that builds on the educational goals of the physical activity curriculum.

Design Challenge

Often the children in the schools that we work with don’t have a lot of opportunity to run around freely in their neighborhoods because of the lack of parks. The schools also often share space with a parish who needs space for parking and parishioner outdoor space. In addition, the cost of play equipment can be prohibitive and a landscape designed for play can offer a much needed and more cost effective alternative.

Design Strategy

We spend time listening carefully to both the school and any other constituents to develop a landscape plan that will meet their needs and their aspirations. We use the landscape to create opportunities for gross motor play by creating hills and patterns, design spaces that can work for the school as outdoor science spaces by building their curriculum with the New York Hall of Science, or install large reproductions of artwork coordinated with the Metropolitan Museum. 

Impact

These landscapes engender an appreciation of nature that the students might not necessarily have otherwise. One student recounted how the leaves that had always fallen in the parking lot were suddenly different and beautiful when they fell into a play space that was covered in turf.