This is a very special space a Seymour school commissioned as a place of remembrance and reflection for their students both present and past. It was a small space that started as an unused lawn with a tall brick wall as a backdrop.
When designing for a school yard space I am always mindful of the level of compaction and damage that is caused by the thousands of little feet that run, walk and even jump through the space. To make this garden inviting and functional the garden needed to be robust but also welcoming.
The series of vertical timber posts, with a gentle wave shaped top, gives visitors a sense of intimacy without enclosing it to the greater space. The rocks are for seating for either a single visitor or for a gathering of many. The floor is a compacted gravel topping that will withstand the passing of 1000’s of feet and never look tired.
The cue for the planting palette was very much from the red of the rear brick wall. In order to maintain a calmness, the colours of the planting also had to remain simple and soft. The three metal screens disguise electrical up-lights that illuminate this space at night allowing for it to be a safe place always.