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ALLIED TRADE FEATURE

NOVA PIONEER SCHOOLS:

PAULSHOF AND RUIMSIG

Nova Pioneer Schools
approached landscape Climbing area along the slope , with ropes to climb up it
architect Elize van der Walt
to design a playground for
their new school building
at the existing Paulshof
school in Johannesburg.
The addition was for grades
four to seven, but all the
grades would have access
to the playground from
time to time. This made it
quite challenging as the
needs of the various age
groups in primary schools
differ greatly. Paulshof

ova Pioneer espouses the Reggio The teachers also mentioned that the To cater for the large amount of feet that
Emilia philosophy of teaching, children did not find the standard jungle will use the playground daily, extensive
Nwhich supports enquiry-based and gym on site challenging at all. areas of synthetic turf were installed. Four
experiential learning. The school prefers shade sails were installed to cool down the
wooden equipment as it is more natural, Design philosophy area while the trees grow. A large sandpit
and specifically requested that no bright serves as an impact-attenuating surface
primary colours be used. Equipment to The design philosophy was to provide as underneath the jungle gym, and doubles
exercise core and upper body muscles many play opportunities as possible within up as an area where children can play
was also requested, as most standard the space and budget available, with the creatively with loose parts and natural
jungle gyms on the market do not provide focus on creating a variety of spaces that materials. The school provides buckets,
sufficient opportunities for such exercise. are open-ended. shovels, and other equipment for sand
play.

Paulshof The jungle gym was custom-designed
in conjunction with Mark Nathan of
Edenscapes to provide opportunities for
exercising upper body strength with the
three rope climbs. The structure is also
much higher than typical equipment
available on the market, to create a sense of
thrill and risk (within the ambit of the law,
of course), and make it more challenging
to climb. Nathan used saligna poles and
SA pine planks coated with a mahogany
sealant. Most of the construction was
done on site, but the poles and planks
were sanded and coated off site.

“The climbing and clamber nets give
learners choices on how to achieve
destinations on the play structure and
The sandpit serves as an impact-attenuating surface under the assist in developing gross motor skills.
Climbing ropes help develop forearms,
jungle gym, and doubles up as an area where children can play biceps, triceps, leg and calf muscles and
with buckets, shovels and other equipment supplied by the
schools.

20 Landscape SA • Issue 94 2020