Nature's Classroom: How Biophilic Design Transformed Sherwood Park Primary
When one thinks of educational spaces, the conventional classroom setting with its closed walls and rows of desks usually springs to mind. Yet, modern pedagogic principles and environmental wellness trends increasingly lean towards more organic, green, and open learning environments.
When we approached Sherwood Park Primary, a London school, they expressed the constraints of their limited outdoor space. Meristem Design was presented with an exciting challenge: transform an overlooked, disused plant bed and seating area at Sherwood Park Primary into a dynamic teaching and learning space. The scheme aimed to provide a breakout space for students to continue their studies in instances where a conventional classroom may not be suitable.
The Power of Biophilic Design to Create an Inspiring Learning Oasis
One of their mandates involved incorporating 'Outdoor school' or 'Forest school' sessions into their weekly curriculum. The school faced challenges in establishing an outdoor classroom tailored for such activities. This is where our expertise came into play.
We designed the scheme and tweaked the design in line with teaching professionals' feedback to create the most suitable solution for the student's individual requirements and needs.
The design features a timber pergola that casts gentle shade over a seating area coupled with an outdoor whiteboard, offering a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor learning. Transitioning through the space, students are greeted with sensory planting, enticing their senses and drawing them into the embrace of the lower garden.
The lower garden is surrounded by Ivy green screens which provide audio and visual relief to the students, enclosing the space in a natural and calming way. The space has a mud kitchen, herbal planting, sand pits, allotment areas, water play features and simple, soft surfaces where the students can simply lay and relax.
A new fencing and gate system ensures the students are able to play and enjoy the space semi-supervised without the risk of gaining entry to the adjacent car park.
Teacher's Testimonial: A Seal of Approval
Joshua Hunt, a dedicated teacher at Sherwood Park Primary, encapsulates the essence of this transformation:
"We previously had an overgrown patch of land, alongside a patio area which was underutilised in the car park. Meristem Design helped produce an outdoor school classroom suiting our diverse learners from age 5 to 19. The natural herb garden and grassed areas offer a splendid outdoor space. A massive thank you to Meristem for this incredible transformation."
Key features like the mud kitchen and play boxes have proven exceptional in fostering an environment for students to actively engage, learn, and even embrace the playful mess. Additionally, the inclusion of a natural herb garden and grassy zones offers students a serene and regulating space outdoors. They have already seen great learning and play opportunities take place in a short space of time and they look forward to developing their curriculum and forest school initiatives further.
It's an honour for us to have played a pivotal role in this transformation, enabling the school to achieve their vision of a balanced and interactive outdoor teaching space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biophilic design?
Biophilic design is an architectural and design philosophy that seeks to integrate nature and natural patterns into human-made spaces. The term "biophilia" means "love of life or living systems," emphasising our innate connection and attraction to nature. In essence, biophilic design acknowledges the human need for nature and harnesses this connection in modern built environments.
How does biophilic design benefit learning spaces?
In educational settings, biophilic design offers many benefits. Spaces infused with natural elements can lead to improved concentration, reduced stress, and heightened creativity among learners. Natural light, plant life, and organic materials can create an atmosphere that is both calming and stimulating, fostering an optimal environment for both teaching and learning. The sensory stimulation from these natural elements aids cognitive function, enhancing the retention of knowledge and encouraging collaborative learning.
What role does urban greening play in educational spaces?
Urban greening is a key component of biophilic design, especially in densely populated city environments. It involves introducing elements of nature, such as plants, trees, and even water features, into urban settings. For educational institutions, urban greening can transform concrete playgrounds into lush, green oases, providing students with an opportunity to connect with nature even in the heart of a city. Such spaces offer not only aesthetic benefits but also promote physical activity, hands-on environmental education, and mental well-being.
John Keble Primary School - Biophilic Design through installation of a nature playground - Before & After
How can biophilic design transform disused areas?
Biophilic design has the power to rejuvenate neglected or underutilised spaces. By integrating natural elements, what might have been an ignored corner of a school can become a thriving hub for learning and relaxation. The transformation of such areas into green spaces, reading nooks, or sensory gardens can provide students with additional zones for exploration, relaxation, and learning outside the confines of a traditional classroom.
How does the lower garden at Sherwood Park enhance learning?
Sherwood Park Primary's lower garden stands as an example of the power of biophilic design in education. This space, packed with features like mud kitchens, herbal plantings, sand pits, and water play areas, offers a rich, multi-sensory learning environment. Each element encourages a different kind of interaction, fostering tactile, olfactory, and visual exploration. Whether it's understanding the lifecycle of a plant, engaging in creative play, or simply having a moment of reflection surrounded by nature, the lower garden amplifies the learning experience, making it holistic and immersive.
Transforming Learning with Nature
Sherwood Park Primary's partnership with Meristem Design has generated an amazing outcome - a teaching and learning space that seamlessly matches education and nature. Through biophilic design and urban greening, disused areas have transformed into vibrant, inspiring classrooms. As the Sherwood Park Primary enjoys the benefits of this creative project, it stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when nature and learning converge.
