The École Oasis program transforms schoolyards into true oases of freshness and well-being in the heart of cities. Launched in Paris with the support of CAUE 75, the program received funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Union’s Urban Innovative Actions (UIA), which helped finance the initial pilot projects and expand this model to other regions.
Today, many local governments in France are implementing Oasis projects. They are supported by the CAUE and municipal technical departments, while the educational community—students, teachers, and families—actively participates in the co-design of the new schoolyards.
Summary
What are the objectives of the Oasis School Program?
The program addresses several environmental, social, and educational challenges:
- Combating urban heat islands by de-paving surfaces, greening, providing shade, and using reflective materials
- Improving the school environment with more welcoming, pleasant spaces adapted to various daily uses
- Promoting physical activity and inclusive play: schoolyards become places where girls and boys find their place, with both sports activities and quiet zones
- Opening the school to the neighborhood: some Oasis schoolyards become accessible refuges for residents during heatwaves, strengthening their social role
When tree planting is not possible, the painting of floors and surfaces becomes a quick and effective way to transform the atmosphere and contribute to cooling.
How PALM contributes to the Oasis School Program
PALM supports cities in implementing the Oasis School Program by providing artistic and technical expertise.
- Creativity and ground murals: we design colorful and organic patterns that connect the schoolyard spaces, create playful paths, and encourage children to run, jump, and explore. These murals also strengthen the visual identity of the school and the neighborhood.
- Paints adapted for climatic comfort: we use colors and materials that limit heat absorption and directly improve thermal comfort. Painting thus becomes a complementary tool to greening.
Co-design with the educational community: Each project is developed in collaboration with students and teachers to ensure that the final work reflects their daily lives and aspirations. This participatory approach strengthens the sense of ownership and the sustainability of the project.
The Renovation of a Schoolyard in Villebon-sur-Yvette
At La Roche Preschool in Villebon-sur-Yvette (91), we transformed the playground into a fun, immersive space that encourages physical activity and sparks the imagination. The project is part of Oasis, a program that revitalizes and adds greenery to schoolyards to combat heat islands.
PALM has designed and created an active design solution . When planting trees or extensive landscaping is not possible, painting becomes the key solution. It transforms the space both visually and sensorially. In fact, it makes the space welcoming and attractive, while encouraging creativity.
School Oasis: The Central Role of Participatory Workshops
A 100-square-meter interactive path along the Sadi-Carnot quay, featuring floor games (hopscotch, a mirror, crisscrossing paths) and guided by a little fish inspired by the city’s coat of arms. The paths connect key areas (entrances, waiting areas, crossings). In this way, they transform a simple walkway into a space for exploration.
For this project, PALM and the La Roche School have set up a co-creation workshop, alongside artist Manon Charpak. These workshops were conducted with the children: they imagined, drew, and then painted. Here, the students are not mere users: they participate, inspire, and become co-creators of their environment.
A cooler, more beautiful, and more welcoming schoolyard
The École Oasis program embodies a new way of thinking about schoolyard design by integrating ecology, education, and artistic creation. Through its murals and specially adapted paintings, PALM demonstrates that art is not merely decorative. It becomes a practical tool for combating global warming and enhancing the social value of educational spaces.
👉 Would you like to transform your schoolyard into an urban oasis?
Contact PALM so we can work together to design a custom artistic and climate-focused project.
Further Reading
