Richmond Primary School Playground
A nature-based space for imaginative play
Project Overview
- Client: Department of Education
Based on environmental research showing the benefits of nature, I designed this playground to encourage imaginative play for primary school kids. Elements of the space include a hill, textured and aromatic plants, a stage, a sand pit and a pebble river with a water tap.
My Role
- Landscape architect that developed the landscape plan and documentation for construction.
The Project
The play space was set between new classrooms and a community hall in the historic town of Richmond, Tasmania. Since the school already had a playground with standard play equipment, I aimed to create a space that encouraged imaginative play with nature for primary school kids.
Performance and Play
The space incorporated an intimate performance space with the gymnasium as a backdrop. Aromatic, edible and tactile plants were grown around the edges to provide multi-sensory experiences. The pebble river, tap and sand pit provided open-ended ways to play with nature.
Architectural Finish
Lighting matched with the architectural design of the covered walkway and lit an outdoor picnic area with warm down lights for those cool winter mornings.
