External Areas:Layout 1 01/07/2009 13:11 Page 24
external areas
The landscape of schools has traditionally been formed around simple elements like
playgrounds, sports pitches, car parks and service areas. How can this valuable external
space be developed to contribute more to the educational and social needs of students,
asks RUPERT DEHAENE-GOLD, associate at Place Design + Planning.
Visions of outer space
B
UILDING BULLETIN 98 includes a of the masterplan uses existing elements
limited description of external on the site together with a simple
space requirements, allowing a level network of paths to create a modern
of flexibility for the design team and campus in a rural setting. A series of
client to develop proposals tailored to spaces adjacent to the building relate to
each school’s needs. In recent years, the immediate educational and social
through the efforts of organisations such needs of the staff and the students. The
as Learning Through Landscapes, the wider landscape of play grounds, sports
design of school environments also pitches and car parks are located in
addresses issues such as environmental respect to their character, spatial and
education, inclusive play, health and access requirements.
safety, bullying and site security. These
factors are seen as critical in the design
of safe schools and yet do not provide a the Plaza sets the tone
vision showing how external space can
contribute more to the intellectual, social
and is a statement
and physical development of students.
about the aspirations
New Line Learning
of the Academy
New Line Learning Academy at Maidstone
in Kent is a school that engages the
whole site in its vision for a new Using the language of a modern
educational environment. The driving town square, the ‘Central Plaza’
ethos behind the Academy is the desire incorporates a silver canopy and feature
to create a new form of education which lighting columns to create a
develops students intellectually, socially contemporary space that can be used
and emotionally to better prepare them for assemblies, exhibitions, events,
for success in the modern world. overflow car parking or informal play. The
The landscape masterplan for the treatment for the Plaza is important as it
scheme is based upon a simple concept sets the tone for rest of the scheme and
of a central space which acts like a town is a statement about the aspirations of
Rupert Dehaene-Gold. square for the site. The design approach the Academy.
24 edbmagazine.co.uk
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