New outdoor play spaces for Welsh school

A primary school in Wales challenged us to help them create a better play space for their children.

They wanted to transform a cluttered play space with ad hoc playing equipment and disconnected play areas into a new exciting space for their pupils.

Our approach to re-configuring the design of the school playgrounds is to create a unifying element that links the main yard and entrance through to the open spaces to the west and south of the building.

It could be a combination of coloured surfacing and planting or perhaps a pathway or exploration route for the pupils to follow. Within the design, we always consider sensory elements, changes of level, habitat spaces and the retention of existing play pieces to create a cohesive, new overall scheme.

We look at maximising functional spaces with increased soft pour surfacing and using colour to provide interest and identity. By softening the edges, the play spaces are inward looking and a buffer is created around the site.

We consider how the school’s values could be projected in the new colour scheme which can help with way-finding and new routes around the school.

We can’t wait for the school children to see their new playground.