Learning Commons Courtyard

Aboud & Associates in partnership with Weiss Architecture collaborated with the school community to revitalize the existing exterior courtyard between the learning commons (library) and interior corridors.

The landscape component of the work was initiated mainly to address Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities AODA compliance issues however, our team of landscape architects worked to create a series of small and large gather outdoor learning environments to be enjoyed by students and faculty.

Constructed in 1971, the original courtyard had fallen into disrepair, the pond leaking and drained due to liability concerns, uneven flagstone paving surfaces and trees interfering with drainage and foundation waterproofing. The revitalized courtyard design provides opportunity for individual or small group gatherings that can then be included in the two larger gathering spaces on movable seating stumps under the learning tree and the traditional outdoor classroom bench seating. The water trough and raised planting beds afford hands-on opportunities to manipulate materials in the courtyard.