Hamranes School

The schoolyard landscape is divided into three themes in the school playgrounds. “The Volcano”, “The Birch Forest” and “The Harbor”. Their inspiration is taken from the nature in and around Hafnarfjörður. “The Volcano” is located on the southwest side and is the second playground in the elementary school department. The playground reflects the rugged and powerful volcanic landscape that characterizes Hafnarfjörður. Curved lines on the surface characterize a large part of the area, imitating the landscape that was once shaped by earthquakes, between small hills. This area is intended for more active and dynamic play, and its design arouses curiosity and encourages creative and imaginative play. On the southern side of the site is the other half of the elementary school department playground, “The Birch Forest”, which refers to the country’s birch forests.

The natural elevation of the landscape is incorporated into the design and offers a peaceful, sheltered and protected educational environment for the children called “The Lake”. The “Lake” is naturally separated from the landscape, with fixed steps that serve both as individual learning spaces, but also as a gathering place for collective activities and education. The same can be said for the area in and around the ramp down to the “Forest”. Above the “Forest”, nature merges with play and learning under the crowns of birch trees and education through a cultivation area. There are archaeological remains in this area, but for safety reasons it was decided not to make it accessible, but to provide the opportunity to include it in the teaching. To the south and southeast is the playground “The Harbor”, inspired by Hafnfir’s maritime traditions, specially designed for preschoolers. Surface markings invite children on imaginative journeys along the whale trail, where they can follow the tracks of the whales, or step into the role of sailors and sail around on ships. The area turns play into storytelling in the rich cultural heritage of the harbor.

The three play areas are then connected continuously throughout the site by the themed trails Volcanic Trail, Birch Trail and Whale Trail. The school’s pristine nature is integrated into an active part of the teaching process, where students across age groups can explore and learn. The design therefore allows access to the “Biology Square” directly from the lecture hall. The “Biology Square” invites students to draw materials directly from nature for teaching, thereby creating a deeper understanding of ecosystems and sustainability.