With research showing that spending time in nature makes us all happier and healthier, integrating green spaces into inner-city schools has never been more important. This concept was what drove our work with Latymer Upper School, who were looking to transform a central courtyard area into a space where students could study, socialise, hold events and performances, or simply find a bit of breathing space.
As with all of our projects we started at the heart of the space, running workshops with the school and students to find out what was most important to them. It quickly became clear that the courtyard would need to flex and fit multiple purposes throughout the school term, and so to meet this need we explored the idea of introducing both static and moveable elements – as well as multipurpose features like integrated staging and seating areas.
We wove natural detail throughout the courtyard’s refreshed design – from the native ferns, grasses and perennials forming rich woodland edges, to the ‘mini urban arboretum’ of Norway Maple, Cockspur Thorn, Pin Oak and Ginkgo, planted to reflect the school’s connections through Europe, America and Asia.
As well as a harmonious natural feel, our redesign also incorporated elements that reflected the heritage of the site. Old clay bricks were reused within the scheme, with names of benefactors carved into their surfaces.
‘Petal’ shaped seating and staging elements reflected the eye-catching architectural arches at the entrance off King Street. The historic elevations of the Main Hall were washed with external lighting, beautifully defining the main arrival onto the campus of this refreshed, rejuvenated space.
