American School Of Doha

Through inquiry, exploration, and play we aim to develop the whole child, nurturing both social and emotional growth, as well as providing students with an innovative and challenging academic program.”

American School of Doha, Lower Elementary Principal and Associate Principal

Adventure through time: inspired play meets rich history

The American School of Doha provides a safe, secure environment for more than 2,000 students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 – ensuring every student is encouraged to reach his or her potential. The school embarked on a journey to redevelop a key playground area, creating a unique and safe space for kindergarten students aged 3–5 years. It aims to foster the physical, social, emotional, and imaginative development of children while integrating the cultural identity of Qatar. The new playground has now become a fun recreational space, while providing an artistic and educational environment to connect students with Qatar’s rich maritime heritage.

Design services

Our landscape architect, playground specialists, and safety personnel worked closely with the school to design and create their amazing new play space. Utilising our professional design services: the flow, zones and layout; amenities and plantings; safety surfacing, fall zones and shading; play equipment; and the hardscape and softscape was fully scoped and materials selected. A number of unique needs and considerations drove our conceptualise design and recommendations. Our guiding light was the age and stage of the children: with the ultimate goal to spark joy and support the physical, social and creative needs of 3–5 year olds. Central to the brief was accessibility, sustainability and historical theming. A natural desert environment, Qatar gets hot and humid. The playground had to absorb less heat, making it comfortable to use – and materials had to be safe and durable, no matter what the conditions. Shading was also crucial, with the play area facing west and exposed to mid-day and afternoon sun. Finally, an extra dose of creativity was required to ensure our design maximised ‘great play’ in the long and narrow space available.

Solution

The play space provides a whole new world of play for kindergarten students focusing on:

• Inclusivity: Embracing universal design principles, with active and imaginative play for all ages while providing teachers and caregivers with easy supervision and opportunities to engage with students in the playground.
• Heritage: Telling Qatar’s centuries-old maritime history and origins, through bespoke play equipment all revolving around the overarching design concept of Al Wakrah Souq, the successful pearling and fishing village that anchors the history of the State of Qatar. Just how traditional Qatari Boats called Dhow are the centerpiece of the Wakrah, the main feature of the playground will be a Dhow inspired equipment.
• Sustainability: Incorporating highly durable play structures and environmentally-sensitive landscaping and site preparation, using existing tress for natural shade(and a buffer to the adjacent expressway) and ‘nature play’ elements like sand and waterplay.
• Quality and safety: Designed and constructed to the highest standards according to New Zealand and UAE guidelines and requirements.
• Fun and functionality: Architectural elements will provide extra shading, and the design will be compact, clever, and packed with multi-purpose equipment.Children will enjoy opportunities for both structured and unstructured play, with the ideal mix of equipment.