A NEW ‘outdoor classroom’ at the Cove Park artists’ retreat on the Rosneath peninsula is almost ready for launch.
Built as part of efforts to engage young people in the growing global conversation on climate change, the completed classroom will be used by artists on residency at the Peaton Hill centre and by members of the public, of all ages, from communities in Helensburgh and Lomond and beyond.
The classroom, described as “hybrid” and “eco-sustainable” has been designed and built through a series of online and on-site workshops in Scotland and Ghana, led by Scottish architect Tom Morton and Ghanaian-Filipino architectural scientist Mae-ling Lokko.
The project has also involved students and young professionals from both countries, including architects, designers, engineers and landscape designers.
The classroom’s creation comes after Cove Park was announced as the winner of the Future By Design ‘open call’, organised by the architecture, design and fashion department at the British Council, earlier this year.
READ MORE: Talented youngsters create mini masterpieces at Cove Park summer studios
Earlier this summer the Advertiser featured a series of ‘Future By Design’ workshops at Cove Park, involving schoolchildren from around Helensburgh and Lomond, which were organised to explore some of the climate change topics connected to the classroom’s design.
Landscape architect assistant Catherine Browne, from the Future By Design team, said: “Future by Design has been a wonderful reintroduction into the world of collaborating in person.
“I have learnt about the existence of Scottish rainforests, collaborated with botanists, jewellery makers, architects and filmmakers, and had the rare opportunity to physically build my design on site.
“I have gained confidence in my skills and knowledge and have learnt to adapt to changing influences. I am excited to see how the project evolves.”
After the new classroom is unveiled at a preview this Saturday, September 18, a series of four public events will be held to further explore themes connected to the project.
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