In short: Outdoor classroom No. 25-31 is a spacious wooden gazebo with a mono-pitch roof, whose long and short sides are glazed with sliding glass. There are no partitions inside, so a group of people fits in it, and the whole structure is raised on piles. In the photo it stands in a park among tall trees where children are playing. The size, finishing and equipment are agreed with each customer individually.
An outdoor classroom: a lesson under a roof, but in the fresh air
Schools, kindergartens and clubs often wonder how to move some of their activities outdoors. Learning about nature, drawing, reading or simply talking in the fresh air is more interesting for children than within four classroom walls. But the weather in Lithuania is changeable, so you need a place where you can shelter from rain and wind. This glazed gazebo suits exactly that need.
In the photo the gazebo stands in a park or on the grounds of a large building: around it are tall spruces and deciduous trees, behind them a parking lot and a multistory building, and in the distance, among the trees, children are playing. It is a sunny early-autumn day, and the shadows of the trees fall on the grass.
Such an outdoor classroom is not just a gazebo. It is a bright, spacious room in which you can set up tables and chairs for a whole group, hang a board or a display, and carry on with the activity even when it begins to drizzle, by closing the glass. With the glass opened it becomes almost open-air, and the children feel as if they were outside.
An outdoor classroom suits more than schools. A similar room is worth considering for clubs, camps, community centers or farmsteads that hold educational activities. It can serve as a place for seminars as well as a space for workshops or meetings in nature.
It is also important that such a room does not require complicated construction. This example stands on piles, so no large concrete pad was needed on the grounds, and the lawn around it was left almost untouched. This is especially relevant in school and kindergarten yards, where children play almost every day and every green area is valuable.
A long wall of glass and a spacious interior
The biggest feature of this gazebo is the long wall of sliding glass. It runs along almost the whole long side and consists of several large panes of glass in dark frames. On the short side, on the left, another section of sliding glass is set in. Between the glass stand large wooden timbers that hold up the roof and frame the glass.
Through the glass you can see that the interior is spacious and still empty: a light wooden floor, honey-colored walls and no partitions. This lets you fit out the room as needed:
- tables in rows, as in an ordinary classroom;
- one large table for group work;
- benches along the walls and a free middle for games or a circle;
- several work corners for different activities.
The large expanse of glass lets in a lot of natural light, so no electric light is needed inside during the day. The children see the trees, the birds and the sky, and the teacher sees the whole surrounding area. The enclosed back wall makes it possible to hang a board, a display or shelves for supplies. It is also convenient to put a cabinet there in which paper, colored pencils, books or nature-study equipment can stay between activities.
The glass slides, so it can be opened partly or fully. On a warm day, with the whole long side opened, the classroom merges with the park, and on a windy or rainy day, with the glass closed, it stays dry and calm inside.
The glass frames and the timbers between them are painted the same color as the walls, so from outside the glass wall looks like a single facade. The trees and the sky are reflected in the glass, and the gazebo seems to melt into the surroundings of the park, so the structure does not overpower the park and blends well into the green setting.
A mono-pitch roof and dark honey-colored walls
The gazebo is covered with a mono-pitch roof whose edge is clad in brown sheet metal. Under the roof overhang you can see evenly spaced exposed rafters, which give the structure lightness and a contemporary look. The pitch of the roof is slight, so the building looks low and does not overshadow the trees around it.
The exterior walls are clad with horizontal boards and covered with a rich dark honey-colored finish through which the pattern of the wood and the knots are clearly visible. This color goes well with tree trunks and autumn foliage, so the gazebo looks natural in the park.
A mono-pitch roof has a practical advantage for such a room. It is simple, so the interior can be spacious with no additional supports in the middle. In addition, water runs off it to one side, and the roof is easy to inspect and to clear of leaves and needles.
The wide roof overhang along the long side protects the glass from rain and from the high summer sun. As a result it is less stuffy inside on a hot day, and the glass is splashed with mud less often. This is useful in a room where children spend a longer time.
A pile foundation under the trees
The gazebo is raised above the ground and rests on piles – their orange ends can be seen at the corners. Such a foundation is especially suitable for parks and grounds with trees. Piles do not need a large excavation, so the tree roots are less disturbed, and the lawn around hardly has to be torn up.
A gap remains between the ground and the floor through which air circulates. This protects the floor from the dampness that lingers longer in shady places under trees. A pile foundation lets you build a level gazebo even on an uneven surface.
When planning an outdoor classroom under trees, it is worth discussing the distance to the trunks and branches too. The roof should be far enough from large branches so that they do not fall on it in a storm. Also think about a path to the gazebo – many people will walk along it, so a lawn without a path will quickly be worn down.
The edge of the foundation is not high, so entering is easy even for small children. If the plot is uneven and the floor ends up higher, it is worth building a wide step or a ramp at the entrance – this also makes it easier to bring in wheelchairs or equipment.
The example at a glance
| Feature | In the photo |
|---|---|
| Mono-pitch roof with exposed rafters | Yes |
| Sliding glass on the long side | Yes |
| Sliding glass on the short side | Yes, on the left |
| Dark honey-colored exterior | Yes |
| Spacious interior with no partitions | Yes |
| Pile foundation | Yes |
| Furniture inside | No |
What to discuss when ordering an outdoor classroom
On its website Laukbaldis shows only typical examples, and the size, finishing and equipment are always agreed individually. When planning an outdoor classroom, it is worth answering a few questions in advance:
- How many children or adults will fit at one time? The length and width of the room depend on this.
- Which walls will be glazed? In the photo the long side and one short side are glazed.
- Will you need electricity? Lights and sockets come in handy in autumn and spring, when it gets dark earlier.
- What furniture will stand inside? Tables, benches or chairs for the group.
- Where will it be built? The foundation and the distances to trees depend on the specific location.
When building on public land, it is worth finding out in advance whether the location of the structure has to be agreed with the owner or the municipality. Laukbaldis also makes solid oak garden furniture, so tables and benches for the outdoor classroom can be discussed together – you will find examples in the section oak garden and outdoor furniture.
You will find similar gazebos in other works: the gazebo with benches next to a children’s playground No. 25-30, the modern gazebo with a mono-pitch roof No. 25-36 and the gazebo with lighting No. 25-28. You will find all our work in the section wooden gazebos.
Care and ordering No. 25-31
An outdoor classroom used by many people needs regular care. Clean the tracks of the sliding glass often – under trees, needles, leaves and sand fall onto them. Sweep the floor every day or every few days, and every spring inspect the walls, the edge of the roof and the places by the piles. If the coating has faded, renew it with a product made for exterior wood.
Because the gazebo stands under trees, its roof and walls dry more slowly than in a sunny spot. So inspect the north side and the places where dampness lingers longer especially carefully – the coating there may wear faster. Protection renewed in time helps the wood stay beautiful and sturdy for a long time.
In autumn sweep the leaves and needles off the roof, and in winter make sure that a thick layer of snow does not build up on it.
UAB “Laukbaldis” has been making wooden products since 1996 and, according to the company, was the first in Lithuania to start making this production. Call +370 687 25388 and quote No. 25-31 – we will discuss the size, the glass, the foundation and the furniture.
Frequently asked questions
Can such a gazebo be used as an outdoor classroom?
Yes, the spacious interior with no partitions and the large wall of sliding glass make it possible to hold activities for a group. The size and fit-out are agreed according to how many people will use the room.
Can lessons be held in an outdoor classroom in the rain?
Yes, with the sliding glass closed the interior stays dry and protected from the wind. On a warm day the glass can be opened and the lesson held almost outdoors.
Why is the outdoor classroom built on piles?
Piles raise the floor above the ground, so it does not touch damp soil. When building under trees, such a foundation disturbs the roots less.
Can furniture be ordered for the outdoor classroom too?
Laukbaldis makes solid oak garden furniture, including tables and benches. They can be discussed together with the gazebo.
Is electricity needed in an outdoor classroom?
In the daytime enough light comes through the glass, but in autumn and spring lights and sockets are useful. It is worth planning the wiring before manufacturing.
How do I order gazebo No. 25-31?
Call us and quote No. 25-31. We will discuss the size, the glass, the foundation and the furniture.
