When planning a new school or community play space, one of the first questions many people ask is: “Do we need a landscape architect, or should we just go straight to a playground equipment supplier?”
While both have a critical role in creating play spaces. The approach, outcomes, and value they provide are quite different services.
1. Design vs. Product Supply
A landscape architect is a design professional. We start by asking:
- Who are the users?
- What are their needs, challenges, and aspirations?
- How can we create an environment that supports learning, wellbeing, and play?
- How can we fix any of your current issues
A playground equipment supplier will provide pre-designed equipment (like slides, climbing frames, or swings) that fits within set packages or catalogues. Their focus is on product within the playground area — not necessarily the overall spatial design or user experience.
As a design professional, a landscape architect will give you unbiased opinions with a genuine focus on quality educational and behavioural outcomes, not commercial drivers. Registered Landscape Architects are also required to undertake Continuous Professional Development (CPD) just like registered teachers and professional education staff. That means they are always on the leading edge of design trends, sustainability outcomes and integration of landscape with environments of every type (including schools and education facilities!).
2. Whole-Site Thinking
At Orterra, we design entire outdoor environments, not just where to place the playground. We consider:
- Circulation and access
- Shade, planting and microclimate
- Social spaces, sensory elements, and quiet zones
- Inclusive play and diverse user needs
- Long-term maintenance and sustainability
A supplier will typically focus on just the area the equipment is being installed in. Often to replace existing equipment. Sometimes this is without always considering how it connects to the rest of the site or supports broader learning or ecological goals.
While a playground supplier is well equipped to design the play experience to align with the developmental needs of children within this age group, an overarching design plan which respects the existing landscape will give you a much better outcome, and can include all of your drainage requirements/upgrades, access needs and pedestrian traffic flows that can be detailed by a professional landscape architect.
As a whole of project consultant, landscape architects also have a great handle on costs and understanding how each element will come together – not just on the ground but within your overall budget!
If you have grant funding from the Department of Education for a playspace upgrade, any investment into engaging a landscape architect is allowable within your grant funding so you won’t be out of pocket.
3. Child-Centred and Curriculum-Aligned Design
Our team specialises in working with children, educators, and communities to co-design play spaces that reflect local identity and values. We tailor designs to align with pedagogy, learning outcomes, and the unique culture of your school or setting.
Suppliers can offer themed or customisable options, but these sit within the constraints of their catalogue. While most have fully customised design and pieces they will not always fit within your educational vision or your budget.
Community and stakeholder engagement is a key component of a Landscape Architects’ design process. We want to know what problems you have with your site, what’s not working for you (your teachers, your maintenance staff and your students) and what the longer-term needs of the space are going to be so we can design for the future. This includes considerations for learning outcomes and any specific behavioural issues that may be presenting, many of which can be reduced or eliminated through targeted design.
4. Long-Term Value and Flexibility
A landscape architect can help you stage your project to suit your budget over time with a master plan that grows with your needs. We select materials and plants carefully to ensure long-term value, maintenance ease, and aesthetic quality.
Suppliers often work on fixed installations once the equipment is in, that’s it. There’s less room for future adaptation or integration with broader site goals.
5. When Do You Need Both?
We constantly collaborate with playground equipment suppliers; they are key to the success of our designs! Without them we would not have the playgrounds we do. However, as a designer we look at the broader site design and strategy first. The key is to get the design right first. That way, the equipment fits into a well-thought-out, functional, and beautiful landscape — not the other way around.
Landscape architects also have access to every playground supplier operating in Australia, so they can select the best equipment for your needs within the playground environment, including custom equipment development where needed. By engaging a landscape architect, rather than single sourcing, you get access to the best of the best. This consideration of your needs first will deliver an exceptional design, which can then be put to a competitive tender process with quotes from a range of contractors (playground and/or landscaping).
Final Thoughts
Choosing between a landscape architect and a playground equipment supplier isn’t an either/or decision, it’s about understanding the role each plays and when you need one or the other. If you’re looking for a whole play space approach that supports outdoor learning, wellbeing, nature connection, and creativity start with a landscape architect. If you are looking to replace existing equipment only a playground equipment supplier is your perfect choice.
If you’re planning a new playspace or upgrading an existing one, let’s talk. At Orterra, we specialise in designing outdoor environments that support learning, wellbeing, and connection to nature. Get in touch to see how we can help you create a space that works for your students, staff, and community.
Acknowledgement: Thanks to Dani Eastwood from Playscape Creations for her collaboration and insights in helping put this blog together.