The Project
This was a large scale environmental project to completely overhaul the external spaces of Horniman School. Although the grounds of the school were green, they were inaccessible to the children.

Consultation
Artist-led workshops were held first with school staff, then with children at the school. Models of a new, ideal school environment were created including a wish list of improvements, including imaginative ideas such as a tree house and an outdoor amphitheatre, as well as more practical ideas such as more room to play, and new play equipment.

Completion of New Playground
Many of the new ideas were successfully realised, totally transforming the school outdoor environment. Some ideas could not be accommodated, such as the heliport on the roof of the school!

New Entrance
More recently, the school embarked on a project to create a new entrance to the school which would included disabled access, a new classroom, and a new feature gateway. Klein was asked to work with the children again to develop designs for this gateway.

Children at the school made observational drawings based on the striking distant views from the school. From these drawings, the artist created a collage which captured the panoramic view.
This panorama is being cut in stainless steel and will be the centrepiece of the new feature gateway to the school.