PTA LANDSCAPES TRANSFORMS OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACES AT AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

PTA Landscapes has completed a stunning transformation of the outdoor areas at Australian International College Primary School Campus in Coburg, providing students with vibrant, creative, and functional spaces that enhance both play and learning. The design and construction of the external landscape upgrade were executed entirely in-house by PTA's skilled design and landscaping teams, creating a welcoming environment for the primary school.

The previously rundown and uninspiring outdoor area has now been rejuvenated with four distinct playspaces, each designed to cater to the students’ needs while fostering creativity and learning. The landscape upgrades also include new connection pavements and beautiful garden areas, bringing color, functionality and nature to the school grounds.

The first of the upgraded playspaces is a versatile synthetic turf "kick-about" area, offering both a space for recreational play during recess and an outdoor classroom for lessons. The synthetic turf is ideal for all types of weather and provides a safe, clean space for students to engage in physical activity.

The second playspace features a custom-made bee hive cubby with a mass of multilevel hexagonal cells resembling honeycomb, which is guarded by a climbable Australian native blue-banded bee. A striking mural on the school wall connects the space, depicting more bees visiting Australian native flowers. Both educational and imaginative, this space is designed for younger children to explore and learn about the vital role bees play in nature.

The third and main playspace is the new playground, featuring a play structure with dual slides and climbing elements. A 3-meter-long hardwood timber skink watches over the children as they play. The play equipment is anchored by impact-absorbing rubber surfacing and shaded by a sail structure. Mudstone boulder edges and hardwood logs not only provide protection but also help retain the garden beds, creating natural boundaries for the playscape. The new space is surrounded by irrigated garden beds, adding a touch of greenery, enhancing the overall environment, and providing protection from the street.

The final playspace is a quiet, peaceful spill-out zone adjacent to the library, designed as an outdoor teaching space or a tranquil reading area. The area features synthetic turf seating surrounded by lush garden beds and a striking Tilia cordata ‘Green Spire’ tree. Curved seating elements and mudstone boulders further enhance the space, creating a calm and inviting environment for students to relax or study outdoors.

The pavements across the entire project feature a combination of colored stippled paths, crazy paving feature areas, and exposed aggregate at the entrances, offering both functionality and visual interest. The landscape design also incorporates a variety of Australian native plants, including Banksia integrifolia, Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’, and Poa labillardierei, complemented by an advanced irrigation system to ensure sustainability and resilience.

This landscape upgrade has not only transformed the school grounds into an engaging and educational environment but has also provided the students with a range of spaces to explore, learn, and grow. PTA Landscapes’ attention to detail and commitment to quality have truly enhanced the outdoor experience for all students at Australian International College.

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