Designing sensory and social spaces to complement physical activities in the playground creates a rich play experience
Schools often want to create spaces where children can escape the hectic activities of the playground to sit, read and chat with friends and dull slabs of concrete or tarmac can really benefit from zoning. With a modest budget, schools can install an inviting green oasis – a social hub where pupils can share and thrive. The design can be as simple as installing seating around an existing mature tree, or digging a patch of playground up and planting an apple tree to create a centrepiece for circular seating. Artificial grass is a practical, all-weather surface which instantly transforms a space into a colourful oasis where children can sit without getting muddy.
One simple but effective transformation was seen at Egremont Primary School in Cheshire where we designed a sensory outdoor space, centred around a large mature tree in the middle of the playground. An eco-friendly fence manufactured from durable recycled plastics with colourful pales and playful stiles, separated the space from the hurly-burly of the main playground and outdoor musical instruments provided a rich sensory play experience.
Another successful project was at Woodford Primary School in Plymouth. The playground was a complete blank canvas so the design team created a vibrant social space using artificial grass to break up the dull grey concrete. A fragrant mature fruit tree was planted and circled by bespoke seating. Game panels created a playful boundary, offering a multitude of activities including: weaving panels, puzzles and pinballs and are hugely popular with the pupils.
