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 was engaged to remediate a free play area that had suffered degradation and loss of surface materials due to unmanaged gradients and lack of circulation structure. Terraces and retaining walls were employed to provide stability to the sloping site, while rock swales were placed to interrupt and redirect damaging water flow paths. Dedicated travel paths were designed to offer universal access and protection of previously trampled rootzones.

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.

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.

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.

By reimagining necessary infrastructure, a design was developed which offered accessibility, multiple affordances, and a heart space for St Joseph's School. Through dilligent site analysis, an outcome was achieved that activated under-utilised areas, repositioned valued sight lines, and restored principles upon which the school was founded.

Fred St designed and documented universally accessible play spaces within St Mary's prime 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.

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.

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.

A design was prepared by Fred St to link previously disparate areas through cohesive and functional nature play programming. This site presented challenges in the form of steep embankments, erosion, and undetermined connections.