Colourful painted patterns and vegetation in the schoolyard of École Sainte-Lucie

École Sainte-Lucie’s schoolyard offers primary school students a play environment conducive to their development. Colourful painted patterns and vegetation combine to create a space that’s at once engaging and calming. 

Mirroring the graphic patterns on the building, the brightly painted shapes on the schoolyard grounds fuel children’s enthusiasm and curiosity. They also delineate different activity zones, including a soccer field, basketball court, funnel ball structures, and many other games. The vibrant hues create dynamic pathways between these play areas, as well as walkways leading to the main gate and entrances to the building. The installation of a rooftop green area provides kids with a calm outdoor reading space, shielded from the bustling activity below. Projet Paysage let the importance of green space guide much of the design. Contact with nature has been shown to contribute to reducing stress in children, thus calming the nervous system and boosting their ability to learn. In addition to islands of greenery, the perimeter of the schoolyard has been entirely vegetated, offering a buffer against the noise of the nearby boulevard and a natural water retention and infiltration basin. Over time, these trees will mature, yielding shady spots for cooling off. The entire outdoor environment has been crafted to uphold and extend the institution’s mission, providing children an inspiring, fun, and sustainable place to play, grow, and thrive.

Client

Centre de services scolaire de Montréal

Services

Schematic design
Detailed design
Construction management

Location

Montréal, Saint-Michel

Partner

BGLA

Photo credits

David Boyer
Brightly painted shapes on the schoolyard grounds
Rest area for students surrounded by vegetation
Student in action playing basketball
Aerial view of École Sainte-Lucie schoolyard
Area to play funnel ball