Ludus - Schools

Ludus Leisure Ltd, Brooklyn, Main Street, Tollerton, York, YO61 1QQ
T: 01347 838 461 F: 01347 830 132 E: info@ludusleisure.co.uk

We have successfully completed numerous projects within the education network; all with one common factor - every school is individual. Whilst the aims and objectives are very similar, other parameters such as space available and budgets are not.

To this end we promote exploring ideas and working together.

the following two site proposals show extremes of design brief. One was a blank canvas, with a desire to create a mixture of areas based more on the environment and learning, the second site had limited space and the brief was fairly fixed with more emphasis on physical activity.

Brief One

The site was located in urban surroundings with existing facilities primarily of hard standing type. The specific area being looked at was beside the school building and the aim was to produce a non-prescriptive facility that felt more of an extension to the classroom than a separate outdoor area.

Shelters can be used as an alternative classroom stage ares or for catching with friends at play times.

Creating areas with different mediums and textures, e.g. sand, slate, bark, pea gravel and soil, gives a different perspective to the playground, encouraging a variety of uses.

Brief Two

The brief for this site was to create a new facility without interfering with the existing tarmac playground; the area needed to blend in with the semi-rural location whilst still involving colour to provoke fun.

The design parameters were quite defined so as to include physical agility, role play, games seating and a learning area/stage.

The Proposal

Whilst the central area was tramac with roadway line markings, emphasis was place on creating a soft feel nature area. A place where nature could be explored, nurtured with planting and which, in turn, encourages visiting wildlife such as butterflies, bird, insects, etc.

The ares had also to be fun - digging, sand play and water play added to the intrigues of nature, provoking interaction and imagination.

The stage/classroom area, seating arena, willow tunnel and existing canopy area put the finishing touches to an all year round, multi-use facility. A place in which to learn, explore, challenge, imagine, and importantly, mix and have fun!

The Proposal

The final proposal for this scheme was less about the freedom of design but more so how to fit and locate prerequisite items into an area, whilst maintaining space and allowing each area its own feel and purpose.

Aims

What we aim to achieve with our designs is -

to encourage children to be outside and enjoy the outdoor

to promote physical activity and exercise

to help educate and learn about materials and the environment

to promote interaction between children, team building and confidence

to have