We were part of the design team for a new Welsh medium primary school in Flint.
As always, our design was rooted in the principles of wellbeing, biodiversity and climate response, and focuses on bringing people closer to nature, creating an inclusive space that serves both the students and the local community.
At a glance
- Client
- Location
- Flintshire
The school’s naturally sloping site presented us with an opportunity to design a series of sensitive drainage features to facilitate sustainable drainage. New boundary treatments within, and to the full perimeter of the site in Oakenholt, include new wildflower and tree planting as well as a rain garden.
We like to incorporate swales into our schemes because their shallow channels help to capture and manage the runoff of water while also removing pollutants.
These rain gardens can wrap around schools and collect surface water while also containing structural meadow planting.
Our landscape designs give schools an opportunity to create different spaces in the landscape for learning, play and reflection including outdoor classrooms and seating areas. It also brings children closer to nature.
The design also enhances the site’s existing framework, drawing on the natural hedgerows, trees and the sloping topography. It aims to improve wildlife habitats and we use this process as an educational tool for the students, encouraging them to learn about the importance of biodiversity. We also included a foraging corner to promote environmental awareness. Play areas include extensive playing fields for sports, a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), and informal play areas within the building’s curtilage.
A circular daily mile route connects all outdoor spaces, fostering physical activity and encouraging exploration.
We were really impressed with Land Studio. They are creative, a delight to work with and captured our vision and their own vision perfectly.
Shahina Ahmad, Principal of Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest.