Landscape Architecture
DG2 Design collaborated with Villa di Maria Montessori and DJM Ecological to design a unique playground for children ages 2.5–12, grounded in Montessori principles. This thoughtfully crafted space nurtures each child’s journey toward academic excellence and empowers them to embrace life’s challenges with innovation, compassion, determination, grace, and kindness.
Nestled among mature shade trees and adjacent to a picnic shelter and outdoor classroom, the playground serves as a natural extension of the Montessori learning environment. Here, children engage with elements that inspire creativity, independence, and hands-on exploration—key aspects of Montessori education. Features like tree stumps, embankment slides, tunnels, a “stump jungle gym,” and willow sculptures encourage imaginative play and physical activity. Loose parts invite endless creativity, transforming into rocket ships, volcanoes, clubhouses, and factories in the children’s hands.
This outdoor time is often the highlight of a child’s day, fostering social interaction, exercise, and joyful discovery. It’s also a favorite topic at pick-up time: “Guess what we made on the playground today!”
Raintree School, a private kindergarten and preschool, is a Forest School rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach, dedicated to nurturing academic growth while fostering a lifelong love of learning through project-based exploration and child-directed play. DG2 Design collaborated with Raintree to create a natural playground and forest environment that truly embodies these principles.
In keeping with the Reggio Emilia philosophy, this outdoor space encourages children to take ownership of their learning by exploring and interacting with nature. Traditional “school playgrounds” often limit children with restrictive equipment and rules. Raintree’s natural playground, however, replaces plastic swings and slides with real branches to climb, mossy logs, craggy boulders, and native woodland features, allowing children to engage with authentic textures and forms found in Missouri’s natural landscapes.
This nature-focused environment inspires children to explore, collaborate, and problem-solve, turning the outdoors into an extension of the classroom. The playground invites imaginative play and curiosity-driven learning, key components of the Reggio Emilia approach. Since opening in June 2014, it has provided children with an inspiring space to learn, play, and grow, where every day brings new discoveries in their natural world.
Client Feedback
“DG2 was instrumental in helping us realize our vision. They were attuned to every detail of our unique needs through design and installation and provided excellent ongoing support well beyond the scope and timeframe of the project. They played an indispensable role in the creation of Missouri’s first Reggio Emilia inspired forest school.” – Ilya Eydelman, Head of School
Faith Academy desired a playground that would
encapsulate the principles and spirit of their Montessoribased
education. They envisioned a space that would foster
children’s natural curiosity, creativity, and independence
through hands-on, nature-centered experiences. To bring
this vision to life, DG2 Design took on the task of transforming
Faith Academy’s existing, overgrown, and eroded slope into
a vibrant, imaginative natural playground that reflects these
Montessori values.
Embankment slides have been integrated into the natural
topography of the slope, offering an exhilarating way for
children to engage with the landscape. Trunk tree climbers,
fashioned from local storm-fallen trees, challenge children
to develop their physical coordination and strength
while promoting imaginative play. Similarly, willow tunnel
structures and tire swings made from natural materials
invite exploration and movement, encouraging children to
interact with their environment in diverse ways.
The overall design not only supports the development of the
children’s physical, cognitive, and social skills but also serves
as an attractive feature for prospective families. The natural
playground stands as a visual and functional representation
of Faith Academy’s commitment to holistic, nature-based
education. As a result, it enhances the school’s appeal,
helping to attract new students and families who value an
environment that encourages growth and learning through
nature.
