The Outdoor Learning Spaces I create provide creative outdoor environments where young people can learn and discover. The sculptural built environments are ergonomic and are designed with human scale and staff / children’s /young adults usage of the space as a central element in the design process.
Each project is developed in consultation with the client and is informed by the client's brief, cultural, historical or geographical contexts. Hard and soft landscaping features and the existing topography of the site are also taken into consideration. Aspects that facilitate learning can be incorporated where appropriate, such as the inclusion of sensory detailing, planting beds and propagation feature.
Grow With Me - An Outdoor Learning Space
St. Mary's National School, Enfield Co Meath.
Commissioner: Department of Education.
Total area: 40 metres x 20 metres.
The Outdoor Learning works for Enfield P.S involves both historically linked concepts and practical features. The yellow pathway that continues into the space from the school to form a spiral in the centre demarks the place name of Enfield as the “ Place of the yellow road”. In practical terms the work includes planting beds and a worktop and sink. This work features integrated sensory elements in the overall work that provide tactile engagement and an opportunity to create music.
The vibrant colours and tactile wall invite children to feel and interact with the work.
Story Circle
St. Francis Educate Together, Blackrock, Dundalk.
Commissioner: Department of Education, St. Francis N.S.
Scale: 9 metre seating circle.
Build forms: Cast Concrete Forms & Murrini Glass Mosaic.
This work features a space where children can become involved in storytelling. This is a space where they can relax and read or use as a picnic area. The brief was set for this project to make reference to the schools patron saint, St Francis. For this project I incorporated in accordance with the brief a fun element to the work by depicting Native Irish Animals. I conducted workshops with the students which involved painting Irish Animals on spherical forms. These were exhibited as part for the launch of the space.
To Plant a Seed - An Outdoor Learning Space
Kildare Town Educate Together.
Commissioner: Department of Education.
Total area: 40 metres x 20 metres.
An Mullach
St. Killian’s, Mullagh.
For this project an earthworks and structural form of a spiral was built within a mound to provide an enclosed seating space.
The forms are reflective of the local landscape and local historical manuscripts that include spirals and circular details. I worked with landscapers to further integrate the mound within the space and also incorporated planting on the mound form for the same purpose. A geo-dome was also incorporated into the design.
Commissioner: Department of Education
Total area: 60 metres x 30 metres.
Materials; Built block form, mosaic, stainless steel.
