Mandurah Baptist College ELC
Campus Landscape

Client: Mandurah Baptist College
Year: 2018-2020
Collaborators: Brad Quartermaine Architect

Awards: 2020 Association for Learning Environments Western Australia Commendation

Four Landscape Studio were commissioned to deliver a nature play environment and outdoor learning/classroom for students from Kindergarten to Year 2. We worked closely with ELC staff to create a reverse brief to ensure the courtyard delivered more than just fun, ensuring the selection of equipment and level of skill and risk was suitable for the students. As well as staff input on the schematic planning of the external environment focusing on providing usable external spaces for education, social interaction and active recreation. The resulting space is comprised of 2 areas that can be separated from each other, or can be opened to form 1 larger area. This allow strategic programming between year groups to occur. A mixture of proprietary furniture and custom play elements were designed to create a variety of experiences catered to the different levels of ability and intent. Heights and distance between stepping and climbing items were sized and spaced appropriately to encourage students to take calculated risk, extend themselves and experience a sense of achievement.

The site caters for different aged and sized class groups at the same time. Each zone is scaled to age and level of desired risk taking for their respective users. The two areas can be separated from each other to allow Kindy and Prep to play separately or not distract each other when working in the classroom breakout spaces.

The inclusion of transition spaces for spare parts play or classroom breakout activities give breathing space to physically separate the distraction of the playground from the classroom, yet the use of playful materials such as rock boulders allow a visual connection to be made and playground courtyard to become an extension of the classroom. Play elements are a combination of custom, proprietary and salvaged existing equipment. 4LS were strategic in the selection of equipment and worked with the College to procure the larger elements outside of the construction contract allowing a saving of cost and time, which allowed the inclusion of additional elements.

Topography was afforded to the otherwise flat site through creative mounding, use of walls with tunnels and stacking of rocks from which slides and waterplay could eventuate. This vertical relief created not only visual interest, but gives opportunities for students to utilise their upper body strength through climbing and coordination skills through balancing.

 Images: Silvertone Photography and Mandurah Baptist College