Revitalizing communal spaces for students
Breathing life into neglected outdoor spaces in the grounds of Lurnea High School in Sydney, Australia, was the key objective of the design. Having served a diverse, dynamic, and culturally rich community since 1965, the school needed a transformation.
Sitting adjacent to the school cafe, the spaces were seen as an outdoor extension of it for students to meet and gather in small social groups.
Social pockets + color pops
In collaboration with Botton + Gardiner, multiple collections of benches and tables were selected and configured in different ways to create inviting social pockets. A range of bright powder-coat colors in Bondi Blue, Leaf Green and Moonlight Yellow were used to further differentiate the areas, which also reflected the colored elements of the surrounding buildings.
Creating fluidity + flow
Featured in this project are the Alfresco bar table and bench settings, which as the name implies, brings outdoor dining to life. The Verge curved bench is used to break up linear spaces and to create a sense of flow for this high traffic area. Curved benches were also paired with the Urban pop table in another setting for variety and a sense of fun.
Finishes, such as Duraslat™ in Gravel Path and powder-coated framing were chosen for their aesthetics, durability, low-maintenance, and eco-credentials.
Fun, functional + flexible
With pops of colour and a variety of shapes and heights, vibrant and inclusive spaces were created for the students to enjoy, which the school was very pleased with – “We are very happy with the overall look and the students are enjoying using the space.”
