Schools

2B's passion for good school landscapes arises from our training on the Landscape Architecture course at Leeds Poly (as was in the 1980's), where the "Community Programme" was a key element, involving real clients and real design projects.

Since then, we have always been delighted to work with school communities at both Primary and Secondary levels. Some projects have involved design and hands-on implementation - our daughters' school at North Cave, for example. On others, we have carried out design work for implementation by training schemes or contractors.

In all cases, we believe strongly that a good school environment has a major role to play in education and development. A beautiful landscape is a welcoming place to play and learn, and the school landscape offers myriad opportunities for exciting extensions to the school curriculum. Every subject can make use of outdoor learning - maths, english, science, art, geography, history - creative opportunities readily spring to mind.

Studies have also shown that physical development is essential for mental and academic development. 'Play' is a vital form of learning and social development. At the very least, the outdoor classroom is a refreshing alternative to the indoor one!

We like to involve as many members of the school community as possible (students, staff, parents, governors, caretakers and grounds maintenance) in design and implementation stages. This creates a sense of pride and ownership, and ensures that the design responds to the needs of the school community rather than being an imposed solution. Involvement in all stages of the change process creates the maximum learning opportunities and a lifelong appreciation of design quality and spatial experience.

As two Year 8 students left one of our recent design sessions, the following was overheard:
Said with tone of surprise: " I really enjoyed that!"
Response: "It was awesome!"

If you share our passion about the importance of the landscape setting of the school, and the social and curriculum opportunities it offers, do please get in touch.

Project examples:

North Cave Primary School

North Cave Primary School

This view shows a well-planted frontage, which...

Parkstone & Sutton Schools

Parkstone and Sutton Schools

2B has worked with staff and pupils to develop masterplans for both Parkstone Primary School...

Marfleet Primary School

Marfleet Primary School

2B worked with ARC on this Masterplan design for an East Hull Primary School. ARC carried out liaison with the school. 2B took the results of ARC's liaison work and produced this thematic design to reflect the wishes of the pupils. The masterplan will help the school to make the most of the future development of its grounds. The following images show some details from the masterplan.

ischool