Be Bigger Than Your Story

Transcription

1 PREP Academy, Denver Colorado Kansas State University Come Alive Outside Design Challenge 2016 Be Bigger Than Your Story

2 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 3 Objectives 4 Site Plan 5 Design Phases 6 Featured Plants Used 10

3 3 Introduction We believe that nature is essential to learning. As children, one of the first places that we are allowed to really discover and learn on our own is outside, in nature. The unique experiences we got as children in our backyards are disappearing. Children and adolescents spend more time inside, separated from nature than ever before. In a learning environment, the ability to interact with nature and use the five senses encourages broader thinking, better concentration, and helps manage stress levels. As a design team, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to create a space that will personally encourage higher well being in all of these areas for the students and teachers that spend their days in it. The design that we have created for PREP Academy addresses many of the top concerns that we heard from students and staff. There was an overwhelming feeling of a desire to rise up, as a school and as a facility. Every student we spoke to expressed their yearning to come to a school that made them proud to be there. As such, we believe that a feeling of pride, safety, and excitement should be stirred out of the students by their school. Another main concern that students relayed to us was that there wasn t a lot of space to play or enjoy being outside. We created several individual spaces throughout the property that would allow for different uses, such as play, gathering, and solitude if desired. The Kitchen Community Garden will provide opportunity to learn and interact with nature in direct relation to their own use of the produce. No two students are alike, and each student will have their own way of utilizing the spaces created, so we attempted to create versatile spaces that would accommodate many needs. Each of the phases outlined encourage different uses of the five senses, facilitate learning of different kinds, encourage the presence of native wildlife, and improve the health of the local urban ecosystem.

4 4 Come Alive Outside Objectives 1. Encourage the use of the five senses within the space. 2. Implement the creativity and desires of the teachers and students who use the space. 3. Create a Certified Wildlife Habitat. 4. Manage and make the best use of rainwater. 5. $10,000 budget for the first phase

5 Site Plan 5

6 6 PHASE 1: The Kitchen Community Learning Garden Phase 1 focuses directly on implementing the Kitchen Community Learning Garden. The South side of the building was selected as the location for this garden due to the amount of available sunlight and space. Conveniences of access to classrooms and a water source for irrigation were also considerations in the placement of the garden. The pathways for the garden, as well as the space underneath the garden beds are specified as compacted gravel to address drainage and maintenance convenience.

7 7 PHASE 2: The Art and Wildlife Garden Phase 2 is to accompany the strong art program in place at PREP Academy. Locking display cases are designed into the area to allow students to display their artwork to the public. This area is also densely planted with plants that provide food and habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. A gathering area was designed into the center of this area for holding outdoor classes or meetings. A rain garden near the flag pole and a second near the gathering circle provide a habitat for wildlife and utilize rainwater as well.

8 8 PHASE 3: The Drive and First Impressions In Phase 4, we replaced the front drive for a smaller drop off. Planting beds in the island of the drop off increase green space and cuts down on the amount of concrete in the front of the building. The placement of a concrete bulldog in the center of the beds also increases school pride and beautifies an otherwise empty space. Purple flowering plant material was selected to enhance school pride with one of the primary school colors.

9 9 PHASE 4: Turf Area and Play Space Phase 4 addresses the desire of the students and teachers to have more open, green play space on the school grounds. We added a planting bed along the front of the area to create some privacy and safety between the main public sidewalk and the play area. The turf area between the planting bed and the school was left intentionally open to allow for recreation or rest. Small shrubs and grasses were utilized to help contain balls and create a sense of safety and division between play space and public space. Buffalo grass was selected as the primary turf due to its low water and maintenance needs and ability to stand up to a harsh mountainous climate.

10 10 Featured Plants Used Colorado Spruce Butterflybush m/fresh-cut-christmas-trees.html Dwarf Blue Rocky Mountain Fir /butterfly-bush.html Catmint Fringed Sage hs/search;_ylt=awrtcdg0rkfydf8 A4WUnnIlQ?p=fringed+sage&fr=y hs-mozilla-002&fr2=piv- Vinca Minor Wayfaringtree Viburnum Penstemon Creeping Phlox m