Page 11 - Landscape-Issue154

PROJECT

Before the upgrade took place, the consult and motivate on the importance contractor, contributing their skilled labour
space was an open area with sparsely of play in the design of the Wonderscape. and resources. Mango Sootoo Trading was
growing grass due to the amount of shade Jordi explained that play is far more than responsible for crafting the steel elements
and compaction from the children’s foot amusement – it is a vital process that required.
traffic. It consisted of a standard wooden nurtures growth, learning and connection. The installation process began by
jungle gym on one end and a few old metal Through play, children develop emotional cordoning off half the site with safety
play elements on the other; these were resilience, creativity and essential social hoarding, allowing space for play in the
showing signs of rust and deterioration. and cognitive skills. The Wonderscape at remaining open area while the team
All existing play elements were removed St. Katharine’s embodies this philosophy, worked in the construction space without
and a pathway on one side of the space offering an experiential outdoor classroom risk to the girls.
was extended around the circumference where imagination, sensory exploration, As the school is situated on a small
to allow for easy flow and access to all and adventure come together. Designed plot of land in a steep and rocky part of
parts of the play area. The pathway is wide with intention, each element fosters Johannesburg, site accessibility was a
enough to serve as a push bike track for wonder, regulation and relational challenge. Machinery could not be brought
younger girls. connection. By embracing play, the lifelong close to the site to excavate or offload
role in shaping curious, confident and materials, and all tools and materials had
Motivation and the importance of connected children is honoured. to be carried by hand to the work space;
play excavated rock and soil also had to be
During the presentation phases Tom Installation process removed manually in buckets, down flights
Jordi, an expert in wellness and child In order to bring the design vision to life, of steps to be placed in bins on the side of
development, was brought in by Gove to Plant Elite Group was engaged as the main the road. The roots and branches of existing

Above and right: The rope tunnel

Chain link hoops Tree house

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 154 2025 9