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Banmira Specialist School - Early Education Playspace

2025 Gold National Landscape Design Institute Award

2022

Shepparton

Concept, 3D modelling, Existing Tree Plan, Proposed Planting Plan, Irrigation Plan, Grading Plan, Tender drawings and documentation, Construction Support

2025

This award-winning early childhood playspace wa designed as part of a multistage landscape masterplan for Banmira Specialist School — a specialist early education facility supporting children from 2.8 years of age, guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).

The site presented significant challenges: an irregular geometry, established trees, a streetscape-facing aspect, and the complex needs of very young children requiring inclusive, sensory-rich play environments. Working within a collaborative project team under the Head Architect, we consulted directly with teaching staff to ensure the design reflected how the outdoor space would genuinely be used.

The fully documented early education playspace incorporates nature-based sand play, a sensory nest swing, defined activity zones, shade sail structures, and robust boundary planting, while retaining views of the surrounding landscape - all carefully resolved within a constrained site.

The completed project demonstrates how specialist playspace design, based on user understanding and robust technical documentation, delivers outcomes that are both buildable and purposeful.

Recognised nationally at the 2025 LDI Awards as the benchmark in commercial landscape design across Australia.