Schoolyard St Lutgardiscollege
A transformation from a dull, grey playground to a challenging green one
Studio Basta: Two years ago, the Lutgardiscollege playground looked much like most other playgrounds in Belgium: a wall-to-wall dull, grey surface of concrete pavers, posing very little challenge. This type of playground often serves as the sovereign domain of ‘king football’, which was true of Lutgardiscollege as well. The result? Schoolchildren not in the game are forced into the margins. These margins are absent of any programme, challenge, experience or beauty, among others. Children aren’t really free to enjoy themselves to the full, which leads to bullying, injuries and concentration problems in the classroom. The overall visual appeal and aesthetics of places like this simply isn’t present. It’s a sad affair if you consider how many years a schoolchild encounters this kind of outdoor space. For some it may even be the only outdoor space they do encounter.
A place for everyone
Transforming these kinds of playgrounds into green, adventure-packed spaces offers so many more opportunities and benefits. The spatial layout, varied programme and the green, adventure-packed design ensure that every schoolchild has a good time, whether in a group or alone, both actively and passively. According to scientific studies, playgrounds like this lead to less bullying and injuries and result in children heading back to their classrooms with more energy once playtime is over. The final outcome is improved scholastic performance. Two years after building, the school board can testify to the validity of those studies.
在Lutgardiscollege，空间规划以一系列岛屿为特征。其中一些被发展成丘陵，而另一些则是在地面或形状成凹陷的座位区。不同的节目与不同的岛屿联系在一起：从最小的沙箱到年轻人的足球场。通过将某个节目与某个特定岛屿联系起来，各年龄组在不失去空间统一性的情况下被分开，或者不得不诉诸于难以想象的障碍和/或“看不见的线”。新操场从3000平方米缩小到1850平方米（由于邻近的新住宅开发），但仍打算供同样数量的学生使用。聪明的空间规划（例如，青少年踢足球的空间不再包括整个操场，而是一个更小的凹进式足球场）和山的3D体验（“环绕、穿过、越过等”）使得缩小的空间不引人注意，事实恰恰相反！整个操场都变成了绿色。小山上种满了各种各样的花，还种满了灌木。种植了25棵树，这样在未来几年里它们将创造一个可爱的树冠。所有的植物在城市环境中生长良好，能够应付游戏时间带来的颠簸。绿色设计（un）有意识地增加了视觉吸引力。
Smart spatial layout
At Lutgardiscollege, the spatial plan was characterised by a series of islands. Some of these were developed into hills, while others were at ground level or shaped into recessed seating areas. Different programmes were linked to the different islands: from a sandbox for the littlest ones, to a football arena for the youth. By linking a certain programme to a specific island, the age groups are separated without losing the spatial unity or having to resort to unimaginative barriers and/or “invisible lines”. The new playground shrank (due to a new, neighbouring residential development) from 3,000 m² to 1,850 m², while still intended for use by the same number of pupils. The smart spatial plan – e.g., the space for youth to play football no longer encompasses the entire playground, but is now a smaller, recessed football arena – and the 3D experience of hills (‘around, through, over, etc.’) makes it so that the reduced space isn’t noticeable, quite the opposite in fact! The playground as a whole has been made green. The hills are sown with a mixture of flowers and have been planted with shrubs. 25 trees were planted so that in the coming years they will create a lovely canopy. All of the plants grow well in an urban context and can handle the rough and tumble that playtime entails. The green design (un)consciously contributes to greater visual appeal.
Project Name: Schoolyard St Lutgardiscollege, Oudergem, Brussels
Landscape architects: Studio Basta
In corporation with: ARA (technical support) – Urban Platform (Architects)
Design year: 2015 -2016
Construction year: summer 2016 (phase 1) – summer 2017 (phase 2)
Area: 1850 m²
Construction Budget: 270.000 euro (excl tax)
Image credits: Studio Basta & Michiel De Cleene
