THE LIVITY SCHOOL.
Lambeth, London
The new Livity School in Lambeth is a primary school for children with autistic spectrum disorders and learning difficulties. Our brief was to create a series of vibrant and stimulating places for outdoor play and learning for children with a wide variety of complex needs on a tight urban site.
Civic trust Award Winner 2014
Client: The Livity School, London Borough of Lambeth
Architect: Haverstock Associates
The project
Flexibility, Accessibility, Challenge and Fun!
The landscape scheme was informed by consultation with teaching and classroom support staff, playground assistants and parents of pupils. Time was also spent observing children at play; this gave an understanding of the way that pupils and staff used the playground and highlighted areas for improvement.
The new landscape improved and extended the possibilities for outdoor play and learning with flexibility, adaptability, challenge and fun at its heart. We included covered areas, canopies for shade and shelter, accessible but challenging play features, and lots of sensory elements to encourage contact with natural materials including plants.
Early Years Terrace
The new roof canopy has greatly extended opportunities for outdoor play and learning. The ground surface is a playful tapestry of materials that reflect the geometry of the canopy overhead. Projecting roof lights are integrated into the play surfaces and despite the limited space, provision has been made for sand play and a planter for growing flowers and edibles.
