Sensory School Garden: Designed by The Garden Builders
William Morris Primary School - Concept notes March 2012
The Brief
To create a sensory garden suitable for Nursery and Reception Children. Up to 60 children could use the garden at any one time. The garden should be low maintenance and have limited planting.
The Design Concept
As the area has to accommodate a high number of children at any one time, open space is an important factor. We have therefore treated the area as a semi-open play and learning space. This space encourages children to explore and find out about the wider world around them, as well as developing basic motor skills by negotiating gentle features and feeling different tactile materials.
We have created a virtual world where children can explore and excite all their senses.
The central island feature is surrounded by sea and land shaped by areas of artificial brightly coloured grass. This provides a safe, visually stimulating and exciting setting.
The garden contains: water features, wind chimes, touch walls and picture units. The touch walls feature natural items such as sea shells semi-embedded into them.
The picture units feature large images as a 'window on the world' (either abstract - animal, vegetable & mineral OR pictorial - continents). To be decided in consultation with school.
The island will feature a real palm tree and highly scented plants.
Semi-abstract 'Boats' with seating will provide areas for quiet learning groups and could be used for picnicking. Additional parasols on the 'land' could provide shade on hot days!
The entrance wall represents a wave. The garden is dedicated to Mary Kingsley an inspirational lady explorer and writer. The totem will feature a brief summary of her achievement.
- See more at: http://www.gardenbuilders.co.uk/section/457/1/sensory-school-garden#sthash.l1ZpOuJf.dpuf
The Brief
To create a sensory garden suitable for Nursery and Reception Children. Up to 60 children could use the garden at any one time. The garden should be low maintenance and have limited planting.
The Design Concept
As the area has to accommodate a high number of children at any one time, open space is an important factor. We have therefore treated the area as a semi-open play and learning space. This space encourages children to explore and find out about the wider world around them, as well as developing basic motor skills by negotiating gentle features and feeling different tactile materials.
We have created a virtual world where children can explore and excite all their senses.
The central island feature is surrounded by sea and land shaped by areas of artificial brightly coloured grass. This provides a safe, visually stimulating and exciting setting.
The garden contains: water features, wind chimes, touch walls and picture units. The touch walls feature natural items such as sea shells semi-embedded into them.
The picture units feature large images as a 'window on the world' (either abstract - animal, vegetable & mineral OR pictorial - continents). To be decided in consultation with school.
The island will feature a real palm tree and highly scented plants.
Semi-abstract 'Boats' with seating will provide areas for quiet learning groups and could be used for picnicking. Additional parasols on the 'land' could provide shade on hot days!
The entrance wall represents a wave. The garden is dedicated to Mary Kingsley an inspirational lady explorer and writer. The totem will feature a brief summary of her achievement.
- See more at: http://www.gardenbuilders.co.uk/section/457/1/sensory-school-garden#sthash.l1ZpOuJf.dpuf
