GROWING ROOTS

Growing Roots is part of the long-term non-profit program established between Rhode Island School of Design and Church of the American Ceylon Mission (CACM). For this specific project, we are asked to redesign the public playground and surrounding buildings in a local boy’s school. It is a hands-on process which requires working with complex site condition, existing plantings, local craftsmanship within the limited budgets.

SITE UNTOUCHED

DESIGN PROCESS

Lots of local craftsmen, students and volunteers had joined us throughout the design-built process. Every detail of the construction is carefully mocked up before taken into final building.

FINAL OUTCOME

The concept is to create a large brick platform under the banyan tree as a social space for all. Kids can use them to reach the banyan roots and swing, as they typically do for fun. The platform also becomes a stage for holding different rituals and social events. Dedicated seating areas are located across the stage. On the other side of the trees is the recreation and gardening areas, where we design various planters,seating pedestals, outdoor cooking stoves, pave way and a pond. We also reuse the wheels from local bicycle shops to build the custom canopies to create an enclosure. This playground soon becomes the favorite gathering places inside the school.

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