Barcelona | 2026
Sector: Schools
Type of intervention: Outdoor space renovation
Area: 81 m²
Duration: 1 week
School playgrounds are much more than spaces for recreation. They are places where pupils come together to play, interact and build relationships, forming an important part of everyday school life and offering valuable opportunities to make better use of outdoor areas.
With this in mind, at Grup Efebé, we have renovated an outdoor area at Escola Octavio Paz in Barcelona, transforming a gravel-covered space into a more comfortable, functional and versatile environment.
Completed in just one week, the project involved upgrading 81 m² of outdoor space with a new artificial grass surface, finished with an ipé hardwood perimeter edging that blends visually with the rest of the playground.
Before the renovation, this area of the playground had a gravel surface that limited how the space could be used and reduced comfort for pupils.
The challenge was to transform it into a versatile outdoor recreation area, suitable for different activities, quiet moments and social interaction throughout the school day.
To achieve this, we needed a durable, low-maintenance solution suited to the demands of everyday school use, while preserving the visual connection with the existing trees, planters and other features of the playground.
The project began with removing the existing gravel and preparing the ground, ensuring the area was ready for the new surface.
Once the base had been prepared, 81 m² of artificial grass was installed, creating a more even and comfortable surface for everyday school activities.
The renovation has made better use of an area that previously offered limited possibilities, turning it into a flexible outdoor space for play, rest and social interaction.
This project reflects our approach to designing and transforming educational spaces: adapting each environment to the needs of the school and the people who use it.
To complete the renovation, an ipé hardwood perimeter edging was installed to define the new surface and provide a neat, carefully finished boundary.
This detail clearly marks out the renovated area and creates a visual transition between the new surface and the existing playground paving.
The result is a straightforward yet carefully considered intervention that combines functionality with a design that sits comfortably within the school environment.
Thanks to this renovation, a previously underused outdoor area has become a more comfortable, functional and versatile space for pupils at Escola Octavio Paz.
The new surface has transformed the appearance of the playground and expanded the possibilities for outdoor activities, encouraging different forms of play, relaxation and social interaction throughout the school day.
This project demonstrates that improving a school does not always require a complete refurbishment. A carefully planned intervention, tailored to the school’s needs, can breathe new life into an existing space.
At Grup Efebé, we remain committed to transforming learning environments, both indoors and outdoors, to create spaces that better respond to the needs of each school community.
