Soule Early Childhood Courtyard

The renovation of the Soule Early Childhood Center playground transformed the existing courtyard into an inspiring outdoor play environment that supports children’s development and the center’s educational pedagogy while addressing long-standing drainage issues.

Surrounded on three sides by the center’s architecturally historic Tudor-style building, the courtyard was designed to respect and complement the existing architecture while making the most of its compact footprint.

Thoughtful design maximizes a compact courtyard with diverse play experiences, accessible connections, and spaces for exploration, imagination, and active learning.

Client
Town of Brookline

Location
Brookline, Massachusetts

Services
Landscape Architecture

Size
1,500 sq ft

Children engage in sensory play within a sand area featuring child-height work surfaces and open-ended play materials.

Colorful outdoor musical elements invite children to experiment with sound and creative expression.

Maximizing Play in a Compact Space

The renovated courtyard incorporates a variety of engaging play opportunities, including sand play, musical play, dirt-digging, a trike-riding area, a stage for dramatic play, and shaded spaces that encourage exploration, creativity, and active learning.

The result is a sensory-rich outdoor learning environment that can be safely enjoyed in all weather conditions. By maximizing play opportunities within a small space, the project creates a beautiful play environment that complements the historic architecture and enriches the daily experience of children and teachers alike.

Children explore a courtyard designed for varied outdoor play, with sand, wheeled-play areas, gathering spaces, and open-ended play elements.

Sand and activity areas provide opportunities for sensory exploration, collaborative play, and hands-on learning.

Children engage in imaginative, hands-on play with natural materials, loose parts, and child-height work surfaces.

Improving Drainage, Access, and Functionality

The project’s primary design challenges were correcting drainage issues within the relatively small courtyard and providing accessible connections from classrooms located on two different floor levels. These challenges were addressed through improved site grading and the integration of a sloping deck that serves as both a compliant accessible route and a playful trike path featuring interactive musical chimes.

The courtyard also maintains the flexibility needed to accommodate Town emergency vehicle access, improving drainage, accessibility, and functionality while supporting the center’s everyday needs.

Courtyard play space integrates sand, wheeled-play areas, child-scale furnishings, and flexible open space within the existing building setting.

Soule Early Childhood Courtyard

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