Image description: Landscaping greenery out the front of a building
Landscape architecture enhances space from an aesthetic and functional perspective. Research shows that it can also play a role in improving student social and environmental behavior. Thus, a look at landscape architecture in the school setting holds value for those who hope to beautify the property surrounding a school and bolster the health of the student body within the building.
Designing a landscape to surround a school typically involves many stakeholders: school leadership, maintenance, a landscape architect, sometimes a 3D rendering company to bring the vision of the landscape architect to life, and students. All of these parties should be included in the planning process. The myriad inputs alone lead to the necessity of an experienced, skilled landscape architect or firm.
3D landscape design adjacent to a school should follow some standard design techniques while avoiding falling into the trap of creating a stale, uninspiring environment. A good landscape design team will incorporate the need for simple maintenance, impactful beauty, and educational function.
Keeping Aesthetics in Mind
There is nothing less inspiring than approaching a drab, clinical building knowing there are eight hours of mundane tasks and lessons ahead of you. The entry to the school property is vital to setting the tone for the overall student experience.
Imagine that drab walk up to the building. Now, think of a lush, green-lined pathway with plentiful colors and textures. The latter is likely preferable, isn’t it? It is imperative that the landscape designer keep the power of aesthetics in mind as they lay out a plan for school properties.
The typical design rules apply to school landscape architecture. Keep in mind seasonal color changes and blooming times. Planting items that will only blossom in spring makes for a drab first half of the school year. Avoid wasting space on plants that only thrive throughout the summer.
Ornamental grasses and perennial bloomers are ideal for areas that might suffer through snowy winters. The grasses can maintain some drama and design flair throughout the months that offer fewer opportunities for pizazz.
Simply put, one objective of landscape architecture is to be as pleasing to the eye as possible. This creates an air of calm and confidence that benefits students, teachers, and visitors alike.
Schools Are for Learning
Educational benefits should be at the forefront of every decision when it comes to designing the landscape surrounding a school. While not every design element will be inherently beneficial to learning, consideration should be given when deciding what to place in the finished product.
Ecology is the study of how living organisms interact with each other. There is no better place to learn about this branch of biology than outdoors where most living things reside. The opportunity to build an educational space into the landscape design should not be passed up!
Plantings should be indigenous. This will encourage local animal and bird life to visit the school grounds, providing students the opportunity to study, learn, and engage with the environment. Adding a small pond provides further opportunities to interact with aquatic life. Ponds can also be beneficial to the overall landscape architecture, as they can provide water management solutions.
The landscape can further impact the educational quality of the school by providing a comfortable learning space. Appropriate trees can offer shade for outdoor classes and activities. Holding lessons outdoors offers more than a change of scenery. It is widely considered beneficial to the ability to learn and helps improve the mental health of students. Providing space to learn outside is imperative.
Thoughtful Landscape Design
From an eco-friendly perspective, landscape design can play a large role in energy efficiency and green living. Shade trees offer assistance to HVAC systems and can prevent costly erosion. Planting native flora prevents the overabundance of large swaths of grass that require maintenance and undesirable chemical applications.
Creating a thoughtful, sustainable landscape on school grounds can accomplish several educational goals. Research supports the investment, as learning is improved and student satisfaction is increased by attractive, well-planned landscaping.
Students thrive when placed in a position of positive thinking and support. School grounds represent the first and last interaction students have with their education each day. It is vital that landscape architecture and learning environment is considered just as impactful as technology in the broad view of learning.
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Alex Smith
Manager & Co-Owner Render 3D Quick
Alex Smith is a manager and co-owner at Render3DQuick, with over 6 years’ experience project managing their large team of 3D rendering professionals. Alex is obsessed with architecture and is a CAD design specialist in his own right and an expert in the field of architectural visualization, 3D rendering, and virtual reality tours.
As the first point of contact when you get in touch with Render3DQuick, Alex loves sharing his knowledge and answering any questions you may have about architectural visualization or the latest technologies and techniques they utilize.
Connect with Alex on LinkedIn here.