SALT worked with The School District of Philadelphia in collaboration with Mural Arts Restored Spaces Initiative (Mural Arts) to design and implement site improvements at Farrell Elementary School. Located in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood, Farrell School serves over 1,200 students in grades K-8, with one of the most culturally diverse student populations in the City. Mural Arts engaged the Farrell students in a multi-month process to develop stories about play and learning, and to identify where site improvements and specific types of programming could occur on the schoolyard. In addition, this project is funded by the William Penn Foundation to advance literacy and learning goals, and to promote playful learning in public schoolyards.

The schoolyard concept “A Living Place: It’s Where Life Takes Place!” is motivated by the excitement inherent in a busy beehive. The Hive concept draws inspiration from both honeycomb form and pattern, as well as the social habits of bees, to create a schoolyard with a unique, international ambiance. SALT’s site design incorporates the programs, play elements, and learning goals that the students prioritized during their work with Mural Arts. The Hive features a wide variety of surfaces, textures and playful elements for active and passive play, performance, socializing, gardening and nature exploration. Key components include: The Gateway Plaza & Honeycomb Walk, All Around the World Track & Literacy Loop, Outdoor Classroom & Performance Space, Family Heritage Gardens, and a Native Meadow & Nature Discovery Trail. The Meadow creates a substantial green buffer close to the street filled with urban-hardy, native perennial grasses, flowers and trees. A looping trail through the meadow provides teachers an outdoor platform for natural science learning and literacy.

Collaborators: Mural Arts Restored Spaces Initiative, David Mason + Associates, Rodriguez Consulting, Becker & Frondorf