The redesign of the school grounds has met the challenges presented by a compact city centre site, with every corner used to provide an opportunity for learning, fun or visual interest.
The American School in London (ASL) is a coeducational, independent school in north west London. In commissioning refurbishments of its grounds, the school specified that every area would promote a healthy child mentality, teaching children boundaries while exploring their outdoor environments.
Of equal importance to ASL was the need to create a secure boundary around the school without heavy barriers and to enable the flexible use of circulation and transition areas to ease congestion whilst encouraging play. The school also maintains 21 acres of playing fields eight miles north of the school for general recreation and use as an outdoor educational centre.
ASL is organized into three schools – lower school, middle school and high School – and delivers an American college-preparatory curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 12 with a roll of more than 1300 international students from 50 countries.
ASL’s school philosophy has a strong emphasis on experiential learning – learning by doing – and seeks to encourage students to take educational risks. Although many of ASL’s pupils come from an affluent background, the pupils don't necessary have access in their home environments to outdoor play and exploration.
Farrer Huxley Architects were appointed as the landscape architects in 2001. The development was implemented in 4 phases, beginning in October 2001 and was completed in September 2005.
