School Landscape Design - Latymer Upper School Campus

Hammersmith, London – Enhancing Outdoor Learning and Wellbeing

At Concept Landscape Architects, we were commissioned to develop a bespoke school landscape design for the historic Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, West London. Founded in 1624 by Edward Latymer, this independent co-educational school combines heritage with academic excellence. The landscape design brief called for a meaningful enhancement to the external school campus—creating a welcoming, functional and inspirational environment for students, staff, and visitors alike.

A Unified and Usable Campus Heart

Working closely with the leadership team and school stakeholders, we identified a key section of the Latymer campus to serve as a new social and recreational heart. Our design responds to both the educational setting and urban context of Hammersmith, blending traditional materials with modern landscape architecture solutions to create a robust and characterful environment.

The site strategy connects a series of previously fragmented spaces into a cohesive and purposeful outdoor setting. The design enhances circulation, social interaction, learning, and leisure, supporting daily school life with flexible zones suited to a range of uses.

Natural Planting and Strong Geometry

The primary movement route is clearly defined by an avenue of in-ground trees, formal hedging and layered ornamental planting. These are framed by high-quality natural stone paving and permeable resin-bound surfacing, which allow for subtle texture and variation while remaining practical for high footfall.

Raised Corten steel planters punctuate the scheme, offering visual interest and creating places to pause, reflect or gather. These custom-fabricated features complement the school’s contemporary architecture and tie into its established materials palette.

Spaces for Socialising and Recreation

Integrated seating, modern canopies and shaded gathering zones help structure the space, encouraging informal interaction and fostering a sense of ownership among students. Social spaces are intentionally varied in scale, from smaller breakout areas to open plazas designed for congregation or occasional performances.

We also incorporated multi-use features to increase the design’s year-round value: seating edges double as play or perch zones, and carefully chosen planting supports biodiversity and seasonal interest, requiring minimal maintenance.

Sustainability and Practical Performance

Sustainability is embedded into the design through permeable surfacing, native and pollinator-friendly planting, and material longevity. Trees provide shade and climate resilience, while lighting and layout have been carefully considered to ensure security and accessibility, including full DDA compliance.

Creating Identity Through Landscape

Our landscape design at Latymer Upper School does more than improve functionality—it creates a strong sense of place. By working with the school’s heritage and aspirations, the landscape acts as a visual and social anchor for the wider site. It celebrates student life while promoting wellbeing, supporting a safe and vibrant environment for learning outside the classroom.

Latymer Upper School is a prestigious independent school located in Hammersmith, West London. Learn more on their official website. With origins dating back to 1624. The school is known for its strong academic ethos, progressive vision and deep historical roots. Our landscape design intervention focused on transforming a key area of the campus into a functional and inspiring external environment, supporting the daily lives of students while reflecting the school’s identity and ambitions for the future.