Designing School Playgrounds: Architecture for Learning Outside the Classroom

The most important part of children's education happens in the playground, instead of in the classroom. Despite this, many times we find huge empty school playgrounds.

Due to its importance and meaning, many schools and educational institutions have broken traditional paradigms and have opted to explore new possibilities. We have selected innovative examples, in which, through the use of specially designed equipment, strident colors and a variety of textures, they allow recreation areas to promote exchange, learning, and discovery.

Designing School Playgrounds: Architecture for Learning Outside the Classroom - More Images+ 14

Rodeph Sholom School Playdecks / Murphy Burnham & Buttrick Architects

© Francis Dzikowski

Courtyard Kindergarten / MAD Architects

Courtesy of MAD Architects

ATM Nursery / HIBINOSEKKEI + Youji no Shiro

Courtesy of Studio Bauhaus, Ryuji Inoue

Chrysalis Childcare Centre / Collingridge and Smith Architects

Courtesy of Collingridge and Smith Architects

The Youth Wing for Art Education Entrance Courtyard / Ifat Finkelman + Deborah Warschawski

© Amit Geron

French International School / Henning Larsen Architects

© Philippe Ruault

The Garden of the Silhouettes / Esculpir el Aire

© BISImages

Hongling Experimental Primary School / O-office Architects

© Chao Zhang

SP Nursery / HIBINOSEKKEI + Youji no Shiro

Courtesy of Studio Bauhaus, Ryuji Inoue

Montessori Kindergarten in Xiamen / L&M Design

© Yijie Hu

Special Education School / Architectural Design & Research Institute of SCUT - TaoZhi Studio

Courtesy of TaoZhi Studio

Hakusui Nursery School / Yamazaki Kentaro Design Workshop

Courtesy of Yamazaki Kentaro Design Workshop

Arc en Ciel School / Label Architecture

© Stijn Bollaert

Mokumoku Kindergarten / 16A Inc.

© Masaya Yoshimura

Playville Day Care / NITAPROW

© Ketsiree Wongwan

Skanderborggade Day Care Centre / Dorte Mandrup

© Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter

Expansion of the American School of the Hague / Kraaijvanger

© Ronald Tilleman

Forfatterhuset Kindergarten / COBE

© Rasmus Hjortshõj

Sparkletots Preschool By PAP Community Foundation / LAUD Architects

© Melvin H J Tan

Image gallery

See allShow less
About this author
Cite: Clara Ott. "Designing School Playgrounds: Architecture for Learning Outside the Classroom" 25 Oct 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/927084/designing-school-playgrounds-architecture-for-learning-outside-the-classroom> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.