The Gibson Lane Maze
Martin Douglas
My interest in mazes arose when I was part of the team who visited Gibson Lane Junior School, Kippax, near Leeds, in May 1991. At the time we were second year degree students in Landscape Architecture and had volunteered to help the school look at ways of improving its environment. On asking the children what they wanted, amongst all the cries for expensive modern play equipment the word MAZE was shouted again and again. From this chance occurrence I went on to research my final year thesis on 'The Maze in the Landscape Today', following their relevance and future use.
In the study I tried to show how I saw the modern maze as divided in to several categories. The first are those which are built solely as entertaining puzzles, as recently popular in Japan. Many are designed as features within the landscape - often puzzles, but usually with other attributes, for example as extra attractions at stately homes. The third style of maze is of a more sculptural nature, sometimes with little or no puzzle element, for example the work of Alex Champion - highlighted in Caerdroia 1991. To me this final type held most interest - as it is a lesser known section, but is more relevant to the Landscape Architect in its design principles, being site specific.
Later in the same year the opportunity arose to design an area within the grounds of Gibson Lane and from earlier work the idea of a maze was uppermost. I could see from recent developments in Denmark and the popularity of mazes with children, that there was great scope for a maze within the school environment. Several modern examples have been built as elements of playgrounds using brick, hedges or earth. The children's minds are stimulated by the twisting paths and quest for the centre and this may be employed in a classroom situation as a teaching device. This technique is one used at The Jubilee Maze, Symonds Yat, where local schools often visit and use the maze as a fun day out and as the object for future investigation. Subjects can be taught using the maze as a focus, for example maths networking. 
  The Gibson Lane Maze. Photo by Kate Curtis.
If a complex puzzle maze was built at the school its interest may only be short lived, as the children would soon learn the secret. By building a simple version other more long lasting attributes would be emphasized. Therefore in the design we wished to create a simple pattern which would offer a sense of movement, an integral maze property, and also to make references to the local history. This was achieved by a sweeping path, following part of the Classical pattern, while the spiral around the centre echoes those found on a Saxon stone, in the church at Kippax. The pathways are aligned to important cities and finally, on entering the centre, the church - giving the maze a sense of place. The barriers are earth mounds of various heights, which alter the sense of space on walking the maze, while drawing the visitor onwards and resembling a nearby ancient earthwork. A short 'cheat' path allows choice of direction, to aid recognition of a maze by the children and increase the potential for games, such as tag and hide and seek.
From the outset we wanted to involve the children in the maze making, so that they would learn from the experience and feel more attached to it. This was achieved in two ways, firstly through allowing a few to help with the digging and moving of materials and secondly, by providing each child with a clay tile to decorate. The tiles were then fired and set into the maze path and reflect each child's individual personality.
  Children playing in the Gibson Lane Maze, Kippax, Leeds, England. Photo by Jackie Green.
Initial funding for the project came from winning a Leeds Environment Award and local charities, as well as donations of materials from local firms. Costs were kept to a tight budget of £500. The project is being carried out this year, by a new group of students, who will be adding their own ideas to our beginning. Planting and willow sculpture should help really bring the maze to life.
It is hoped that the Gibson Lane Maze will act as both a play and teaching feature. Naturally a place for games and dance mazes are always attractive to children and here will be used for education; as a general teaching area and specifically through the plant and wildlife on the banks, mathematical study, geography and history.
Martin Douglas, 1 Heathrow Copse, Baughurst, Hampshire, RG26 5JG.

Planning group; Kirsten Bailey, Anthony Brewer, Martin Douglas.
Thanks to: Armitage Brickworks; Ceramic Dept., Leeds Art College; Church's Demolition; Garforth Lions Club; Barclays Bank & Leeds and Holbeck.