UPB are working with Tooting Primary School to rethink their school playground. The school is located on a constrained urban site, and the existing playground is too small for the school’s needs. Our primary challenge is to increase the size of the playground within its current footprint, and to increase the presence and experience of nature.

The ‘Learning Landscape’ comprises three main elements:

1. A carpet of natural landscape elements which hugs the perimeter of the building at ground level, including raised planting beds, sitting areas, amphitheatre, a pond, and a play-mound with slide and tunnel.
2. A two-storey timber-frame external classroom, which includes a covered outdoor learning space, with a green-roof terrace above.
3. A three-storey timber-frame play structure, with three levels of play-decks linked by staircases, ladders, climbing nets and a fireman’s pole.

We worked closely with the school community to design the Learning Landscape collaboratively, and hosted design workshops with the school students, and co-design sessions with parents and teachers.