Learning Garden book spines fabricated from Corian

An array of posts and blocks made from Dupont Corian and engraved with lettering to suggest the spines of books in a library have been unveiled within Windmill Primary in Oxford's new Learning Garden.

Over six months, the school has transformed an unused stretch of land behind the bike sheds into a garden where children can choose their own story and explore their imaginations outdoors.

Award-winning author Philip Pullman, renowned for the His Dark Materials trilogy, was on hand to help celebrate the project, which was designed to inspire creativity with language.

Conceived by Creative Partnerships, a programme connecting professionals in the arts and sciences with schools, the project brought together the children of Windmill Primary with students at Bucks New University and was supported by the Arts Council and businesses such as Dupont Corian and Blanchford Building Supplies.

The ideas were developed in a creative collaboration that also included artists and filmmakers, resulting in an inspiring environment in which the children can actively participate.

The elements of the garden created from Corian were designed and made by undergraduates from the BA (Hons) in Furniture: Design and Craft at Bucks New University, with guidance from Phil Hutfield, of the Dupont Corian technical team.

Selecting a series of vibrant hues from the 100-strong colour palette for Corian, the team fabricated the curved 'book' spines using CNC technology to create the desired lettering effects, as drawn by the children.

Corian is well suited to the project in several ways, from the colour choice and design versatility to its strength, UV and graffiti resistance, and its ability to be repaired should any damage occur.

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