Biophilic Design at Ecole Notre Dame de la Paix
A look into one of our outdoor classroom learning environments, and the design rationale behind it.
In urban school environments, the "concrete jungle" can often feel disconnected from the natural world. At Ecole Notre Dame de la Paix in Calgary, we had the opportunity to help transform a flat site into a nature-inspired outdoor classroom, and a space where students can engage with the curriculum while surrounded by organic shapes and textures.
Nature-Inspired Seating: The Forest Floor Concept
The classroom is anchored by a variety of seating options that mimic natural elements. This modular approach allows for flexible learning environments, where the furniture itself feels like part of the lesson.
StoneWood Log Steppers: Cast from real forest logs, these high-MPa concrete logs provide the tactile experience of a forest scramble. They are rot-proof, splinter-free, and provide a grounded, permanent feel to the space.
The Snake Balance Beam: Curving through the classroom, this feature serves as a long-form sculptural seat while subtly encouraging coordination during transitions.
Leaf Seats & Canopy: The Leaf Seats provide a whimsical, organic touch, while the integrated oversized leaf-shaped roofs offer functional shade and a small sense of enclosure.
Curved Stepping Blocks: These provide a rhythmic transition around the perimeter, echoing the semi-circular flow focused on the teacher’s podium.
The Teaching Center: Seamless & Resilient
To make an outdoor classroom truly functional, the transition from indoor to outdoor instruction must be seamless. We installed a full-sized 4' x 8' Whiteboard featuring a porcelain-on-steel surface that resists the ghosting and UV degradation common in outdoor environments.
To ensure the space remains a dedicated learning sanctuary, we integrated a discreet locking rollshutter. This allows the school to protect the teaching surface when not in use, ensuring that every lesson starts with a clean, clear canvas.
The Teacher's Podium: Finished in a soft-touch vinyl coating, the podium stays cool to the touch even in direct sunlight, providing a reliable home base for binders and instructional materials.
| Design Element | BDI Component | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Tactile Realism | StoneWood Log Steppers | Casted from real logs; provides 'nature' texture in urban settings. |
| Thermal Comfort | Vinyl-Coated Steel Tables & Podium | Stays cooler than bare metal in high-heat Sun Belt regions. |
| Flexible Layout | Semi-Circular Modular Seating | Optimizes sightlines and facilitates peer-to-peer discussion. |
| Integrated Protection | Lockable Whiteboard Rollshutter | Maintains the 'indoor quality' of the whiteboard in an outdoor environment. |
| Site Integration | Surface-Mount Ready Hardware | Easy installation on existing concrete for school retrofits. |
Bringing the Outdoors In (and the Indoors Out)
The Ecole Notre Dame de la Paix project is a testament to the power of biophilic playground design. By choosing high-fidelity natural textures like the StoneWood series and combining them with functional teaching tools, we've created a space that resists urban wear while providing a calm, nature-focused atmosphere for the next generation of learners.