The project was envisioned as a pilot to inform the roll out of Safe Routes to School across the county of Cork. The key elements of the design are the new footpaths to provide safe access to the school for students and families; the soft verge for the rain gardens and tree planting and the paved area at the school entrance which incorporates some seating.
Nature Based Solutions were incorporated in the form of a linear rain garden located between the road carriageway and new footpaths. Place making
measures included; bespoke timber seating at the school entrance, a distinctive pattern in the footpath generated by using two different concrete
finishes and imprinting leaf patterns into the brushed concrete. The entrance to the school has been highlighted with natural stone paving and engraved panel with the name of the school.
The site is sloping and check dams are incorporated into the rain gardens to attenuate the water at surface and allow it to infiltrate into the soil below
and/or evaporate. The rain gardens have been seeded with native wildflowers and planted with native trees; Oak and Cherry.
The project has had a profound social and environmental impact with travel by car to school reducing by 60%.
Winner of the President’s Award, ILI Design Awards 2024.
