The Coorparoo Secondary College project transforms a time-worn courtyard into an elegant and inclusive garden space, reflecting the school’s identity and commitment to supporting Indigenous students and community. The space was designed in consultation with First Nations Elders Aunty Peggy Tidyman, Aunty Pat Williams, and Uncle Troy Thompson, and includes an Outdoor Learning Area, Yarning Circle, and native plantings to encourage cultural connection, learning, and community engagement. Grounded in the elements of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth, the design honours Country and creates a place of belonging, respect, and environmental awareness for students and the wider community. This project received the Award for Excellence - Health and Education Landscape from AILA QLD.

Fred St created a thoughtful landscape design that brought cohesion to previously disconnected areas through nature and function based elements. Addressing challenges like steep embankments, erosion, and undefined circulation, the design transformed complex terrain into a functional and engaging space that better relates to the adjacent oval context. Key features include terraced seating, meandering creek beds, decking to tree protection zones, and nature play connections through native garden beds—enhancing both usability and natural beauty.

FRED St played a pivotal role in the realisation of this multi-stage, ground-up school development, leading the landscape design and delivery. The scope began with the completion of the site’s oval and drainage system, establishing a functional wetland that applies water sensitive urban design principles to manage stormwater sustainably. Subsequent stages delivered a seasonally responsive planting palette, premium materials, and a cohesive, pedestrian-focused layout made possible by the fully integrated, comprehensive design approach.

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.

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.