SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS Custom Portfolio
INSPIRING PLAY SPACES for your students Children need more nature, not less. A beautiful, innovative and well-designed play space will attract families to your school and set you apart. Teachers are thrilled to engage with children in rich and diverse natural play environments. Our wood playgrounds are handcrafted, healthy and extraordinarily versatile. We design collaboratively and build sustainably to realize your vision.
Georgetown Day School Washington, DC
Collaboration: Lemon Brooke The complexity of the play pieces at Georgetown Day School’s new unified campus reinforce the capacities that the school strives to teach every student. The unpredictability and challenge presented in the playground engage cognitive function that provide opportunities for creative thinking and risk assessment. Every play piece gives students the freedom to make choices during play. They can push their boundaries, take risks, learn from failure, and build their confidence – all valuable lessons that they will carry into adulthood.
Georgetown Day School Washington, DC Collaboration: Lemon Brooke
Paul Habans Charter School
New Orleans, LA Collaboration: Spackman Mossop Michaels, The Trust for Public Land The playground at Paul Habans Charter School was designed in part by the students themselves. Working with a landscape architect from Spackman Mossop Michaels, students made an aspirational list of what they wanted in their playspace and then they visualized it on paper. With funding from The Trust For Public Land and in partnership with the City of New Orleans and Crescent City Schools, Earthscape brought the students’ vision to life.
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Photos courtesy of Spackman Mossop Michaels
Rotherglen School Oakville, ON
A modern, wood aesthetic with colours that compliment the school’s crest create an exceptional natural playground experience. A mature grove of trees shades a creative and unstructured playspace with sculptural play forms, a tower and custom Log Jam. Smaller abstract sculptures offer space for children to actively climb or socialize with friends. The playscape incorporates contemporary, traditional and natural features of this historical site and building. The aesthetic is tailored to reflect the school’s high standards and traditions but stand out in its distinct and creative form.
Branksome Hall Toronto, ON
The Branksome treehouse towers take design inspiration from a modern cabin in the woods. The towers at the Junior School are nestled among a forest of mature deciduous trees. Children climb various access routes to get a true birds-eye-view of the stunning school grounds. Swinging hammocks, play posts and timber nook seating add spaces for gathering, small groups and outdoor learning.
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Kingsway College School Toronto, ON
Collaboration: Seferian Design Group Kingsway College School wanted to create a high-challenge, ninja-course-inspired playground. The new playscape encourages unstructured and non-prescriptive play for their students, as well as the families who live in the neighbourhood. Two connected towers are the focal point and from some vantage points, they appear as mirror images. A large Log Jam is functionally linked to the towers and a hill slide and large log jumble challenge balance skills. The design creates an inclusive environment for children and adults with different abilities and interests.
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Upper Canada College Toronto, ON
Upper Canada College, a private boys’ school in downtown Toronto, wanted huge play value and lots of challenging opportunities for active and adventurous young boys who want to push and test their physical abilities. Crafted for students in their K-6 school, we designed and built them a custom Robinia climber and log tower. A massive fallen log calls the kids to conquer another climb while the sand play area and play hut give kids a chance to create, build, get dirty and use their imaginations.
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Inspiration Your school mascot, history or colors - any of these can be the basis of inspiration for your playground! Perhaps even unique local landforms or flora/fauna? Areas for social interaction, outdoor education, and active play can all be incorporated into a complete playground design. Your custom playground will distinguish you from other schools and be a gift to your students and staff.
OUR PROCESS
CONSTULTATION & PLANNING Tell us about your vision and your site and an Earthscape playground designer will explore design options with you to create an inspiring play space for your students.
CONCEPT DESIGN A concept design is developed specifically for your school and is presented using hand sketches, site plans, and 3D perspectives. The design package communicates the concept while animations offer the opportunity to virtually walk through the proposed play space.
FABRICATION & INSTALLATION Your playground components are engineered and handcrafted in our Wallenstein, Ontario workshop. A kidfriendly supervisor will oversee the installation of playground equipment.
PLAY & ENJOY Once complete, your playground will be open for your children to explore and enjoy!
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