CASE STUDY 01
OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS
Designing a Community Response to Educational Disruption
Project Overview
During the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional learning environments were disrupted, creating new barriers to education and community programming. The Outdoor Classrooms initiative explored how shared outdoor spaces could support safe, accessible learning through collaborative design and community partnerships.
My work focused on developing the project concept, engaging stakeholders, and creating the research and communication tools needed to move the idea forward.
Community member participating in outdoor classroom installation
The Challenge
How might we create safe, accessible learning environments when traditional educational spaces are unavailable?
Schools and youth-serving organizations faced significant challenges maintaining educational engagement while navigating public health restrictions. The project required a flexible solution that could support multiple organizations, encourage community participation, and adapt to changing needs.
Support from HACA for the project
Research & Discovery
The design process began by exploring barriers to educational access and opportunities for shared community resources.
Community surveys, stakeholder input, and collaborative planning helped identify priorities and inform the proposed outdoor learning model.
Flyer sent to community members to attend stakeholder meeting
The Vision
Develop a network of flexible outdoor learning spaces that could support educational programming, community creativity, and shared organizational use.
The concept emphasized accessibility, collaboration, and community ownership through adaptable learning environments, public art, and opportunities for collective participation.
Planning sketch/prototype
Creative Strategy
- Community Input: Develop surveys and engagement materials to gather perspectives and identify needs.
- Collaborative Design: Explore shared-use spaces connecting educational and nonprofit organizations.
- Flexible Programming: Consider adaptable environments for different learning activities and age groups.
- Visual Communication: Translate project concepts into accessible materials for community stakeholders.
Collaborative planning on common agenda doc
From Concept to Creation
The project moved from identifying an educational challenge to developing a community-centered design proposal.
I created surveys, flyers, a project website, documentary videos, and presentation materials to support engagement, communicate the concept, and document the initiative.
These tools helped organize ideas, share proposed solutions, and support conversations about implementation.
Community working on outdoor classroom space
Outcomes & Impact
The initiative produced a collaborative framework for reimagining educational access through outdoor community spaces.
Its research, planning, and communication materials helped articulate a practical approach to shared educational resources during a period of significant disruption. Multiple organizations provided weekly programming for students in the neighborhood outdoor classrooms.
Teaching Artists running programming at the outdoor classroom at Robinwood
Reflection
Outdoor Classrooms demonstrated how creative design can help communities respond to unexpected challenges. The project reinforced the value of listening, collaboration, and translating complex needs into practical, accessible solutions.
Core Takeaway: Community-centered design can transform ordinary spaces into meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and collective resilience.
Community members and Organization Partners working together in the Robinwood Neighborhood