PS8, The Robert Fulton School

While heavily used, PS8’s current play yard offers little distinction between areas for fast play and slow play. A student trying to quietly read a book finds herself directly next to a classmate kicking a soccer ball. However, the school has substantial outdoor space which is under utilized, especially at the edges of the building and yard. Preparing a masterplan for PS8’s outdoor spaces, PSF envisioned a zoning system for encouraging – while separating – both fast and slow play types, through strategic, cost effective interventions that extend to all corners of the yard.

To achieve these goals, PSF proposed three concurrent courses of action. First, to Program all areas for specific functions and play types. Second, to Zone each area through spatial distinction. And third, to Design resulting spaces to be coherent, safe, engaging, and flexible.