Environmental Education Garden
design proposal
for the Harduf High School
Harduf, Israel, 2010
(in cooperation with landscape architect Noga Carmel)
(the project is waiting for planning permission and funding)
Together with a team of high-school teachers, the artist developed the concept of this expanded garden design. Apart from providing a pleasant environment for break-time activities of the children, the teachers asked for a design which relates to specific educational needs and environmental concerns.
the area designated for the implementation of the garden
photograph of part of the scale model, showing the lake and pergola
The main elements of the design include:
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a partly covered piazza with a large pergola and a small performance space, adjacent to the gymnasium (which also serves as a space for gatherings, performances and exhibitions)
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rainwater collection from the roof of the sports hall and storage in a large tank underneath the pergola.
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a large lake with jetty and shallow water area for aquatic plants. This bio-sphere will provide ample opportunity for outdoor studies in biology and ecology. Evaporation from the lake is offset by water fed in from the rainwater collection tank
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a viewing platform on the lake edge with a sculptural shade structure
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a mayor lakeside environmental sculpture
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a stream which is fed by water pumped from the lake. This water course consists of various areas with different characters and vegetation zones (including the "spring", a "water-and-rock" garden, bridges and other landscape features
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a rich and varied indigenous vegetation of trees, shrubs and perannuals, providing ample opportunities for field studies in biology as well as outdoor art lessons
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covered outdoor classrooms
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shaded areas with benches for gatherings of small groups
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a workout concourse with equipment for physical exercise
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areas designated for the creation of environmental sculptures as part of art-lessons
artist's impression of sculptural shade structure
artist's impression of the stream landscape
artist's impression of the lake with environmental sculpture
artist's impression of outdoor classroom structure
The artist cooperated with landscape architect Noga Carmel in transforming the model and artist sketches into architectural plans and a presentation folder. The project is currently awaiting approval from the authorities.
detailed annotated map of the Environmental Education Garden at Harduf High School
Illustrated brochure in Hebrew for the presentation to the planning authorities