Hilly terrain shaping a terraced schoolyard

Schoolyard at Väsjöskolan school in Sollentuna

The Väsjöskolan schoolyard, shared by the school and preschool, is arranged on several levels, where a six-metre change in elevation has been transformed into a challenging and varied play environment. Spaces for play, learning, ball games, and gatherings sit side by side – closely integrated with the surrounding nature. From the outset, the ambition was to create a robust and long-term sustainable outdoor environment adapted to both the site’s topographical challenges and the Nordic climate, while maintaining a strong visual and ecological connection to the surrounding landscape.

The Väsjöskolan school is located in the expanding area of Väsjön in Sollentuna. The identity of the place is strongly shaped by its prox­imity to Rörsjöskogen nature reserve, Väsjöbacken ski slope, and Lake Väsjön. The hilly terrain and the immediate connection to surrounding natural landscapes form the foundation for the project’s design.