JPE Design - Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design

Exciting play spaces that provide a benchmark for responsive play space design and effective community consultation

The 2015 group of Preschool Outdoor Learning Area projects represents the second round of five sites to be redeveloped for nature play based learning spaces.

Throughout the development of these sites, JPE Design Studio built on its existing experience and understanding of nature play and Reggio Emilia principles, striving further for child-led design outcomes, that go beyond that of a traditional outdoor learning ‘play space’ and instead become the ‘third teacher’. The 2015 outdoor learning areas were built as educational tools - built for children to further manipulate and engage with, continually test and learn in the outdoor context.

These sites further pushed the idea of the ‘narrative’ - ensuring a sense of identity and unique outcomes for each site.

A common thread to the design of all five Outdoor Learning Areas was the successful integration of the existing outdoor learning landscape. Flexible spaces have been created that make use of natural materials where possible and can change and adapt to each child’s imagination, whilst meeting the educational outcomes set by the educators.