This landscape project at Inala State School celebrates the natural beauty of the site by thoughtfully integrating play around mature gum trees and introducing a towering timber play structure that reaches skyward. Nature play elements like bridges, creek beds, and climbing rocks create a dynamic and engaging environment for exploration and imagination. Complemented by native plantings, the space invites connection with nature while encouraging active, creative, and grounded play.

FRED St was engaged to activate previously unused space at Manly State School, delivering a custom designed boat-themed play unit, complete with a crow’s nest and slide, offering imaginative and active play. Decking around a mature tree creates a shaded gathering space, bridging the gap literally and figuratively between passive and active spaces. Complemented by additional play elements for further exploration, the design navigates grade changes to connect the playground with the school oval, enhancing the flow and functionality of the space.

The nature play design prepared by FRED St brought exciting and dynamic solutions to a site defined by steep embankments and erosion problems. This design embraces and champions the potential opportunities presented in working across differing gradients, while improving environmental conditions for existing trees and soil.

Through a student engagement exercise, FRED St was able to incorporate student wishes into the design process of this expansive school upgrade. Design outcomes include nature play areas, noise reduction, outdoor learning opportunities and celebrations of the school's heritage.

Utilising existing shade opportunities and a playful hexagonal design language, FRED St modernised Mansfield State Schools "heart" with new surfacing, tiered decking and fresh planting. Unique seating throughout the courtyard creates varied spaces and facilitates outdoor learning beneath the sites many trees.

This design incorporated a specific planting palette, timber decking and play elements in order to stabilise and rehabilitate steep embankments that hindered play opportunities and contributed to erosion. Terraced seating has provided further support and functionality to a previously troublesome area.

Navigating grade changes and DDA access requirements, FRED St transformed previously restricted space into a multifaceted "Grove" merging play elements, outdoor learning spaces, seating and natural systems.

A landscape concept was developed to upgrade an existing outdoor learning area, integrating it within a challenging site and ecocentric design focus. Rigorous detailed documentation was required to incorporate the highly functional design outcome whilst protecting and enhancing existing environmental heritage and value.

FRED St designed and documented universally accessible play spaces within St Mary's Primary School. Great care and sensitivity was employed to successfully integrate a modern and vibrant play outcome amongst the context of the heritage-listed St Mary's Roman Catholic Church Precinct.

Bringing together the desired outcomes of functionality, education and variety, this design presents an active and engaging series of interconnected learning spaces. Natural elements act as a feature throughout, with swales and a custom water wheel adding environmental and educational value.

An extensive and impartial consultation and analysis process ensured that a fact-based outcome was achieved for this strategy. FRED St delivered a clear and robust strategy for moving forward with works that not only impacts positively on classroom temperatures, but also benefits the school community and environment. This project received the Award for Excellence - Community Contribution from AILA QLD.