The Davidson Prize

Follow the worm (to a place it calls home) is a residential outdoor play strategy for S.E.N. communities, located in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester. The proposal uses the same pedagogical framework as Cromwell High School and the wider school network, aiming to explore, learn from, and accommodate the unique play and learning needs of S.E.N children through a series of interventions, designed according to 3 themes: SENSORY, STRUCTURED and CONCEPTUAL. With the ‘worm’ as a motif, the strategy provides a design framework and wayfinding system for both identifying and inhabiting in-between, unused spaces at ground level, and within the residential fabric of the area. Installations embed a wide range of play principles from slides and spaces for ball games that foster physical development, risk-taking and socialising, to willow tunnels, landforms and sandpits that allow children to create their special places, project small worlds and make animal allies. The quality and diversity of spaces are at the core of the success of this educational model, often lacking in the traditional, relatively sterile school layout. Our solution is creating a network of neighbourhood wide outdoor classrooms, safe spaces and playgrounds that can accommodate this type of play. Adding new play objects as well as enhancing and utilising existing planting and building elements on the sites creating conditions for inclusive, unique and place-based education and play. All interventions are signposted by colourful ‘worm-like bollards’ that become easily recognisable icons within the community as spaces for open, respectful and imaginative play.

Team

German Nieva, Architect/Team Leader, Delvendahl Martin Architects

Yasmin Lennon-Chong, Multidisciplinary Designer

Dan Renoso-Urmston, Architect, Office Renoso-Urmston Architects

Nikolai Delvendahl, Architect, Delvendahl Martin Architects

Elena Tamosiunaite, Landscape Architect, Mott MacDonald

Amy Clifton, SEN Teacher