St Hurmizd Primary School

This School engaged ULP to transform multiple outdoor spaces, starting with a large underutilised car park service area. We set about creating a naturalised, intuitive play space from a thick concrete slab and block wall surround.

The School was bordered by parklands and bushland so we partially opened the play space to the surrounding borrowed vistas. We built on the park-like feel through the introducing natural textures throughout the playspace. We used rough-hewn sandstone blocks, thick-cut timber and heavily planted zones containing hardy native species that reflected the parkland beyond. This design approach carries throughout the School, starting at the revamped entry with new seating, signage and gardens to the playspaces, quadrangle and Canteen area.

The play spaces offer a wide variety of play activities and spaces of varying scale. The area is carefully divided into expansive active play areas and smaller passive play nooks. The new canteen was designed as a boutique cafe with the students choosing the name and logo. It was designed to provide screening and order to the elongated site. We used natural timbers and pops of colour to create a natural, vibrant and modern aesthetic.