Earthscape Playground

Having previously designed an Enchanted Woodland themed playground for a new residential development in north west Cardiff, we were commissioned to design a further two playgrounds.  Earthscape is a proposal for an artist-led NEAP (neighbourhood equipped area for play) which is inspired historic quarrying close to the site.

The play experiences relate to ideas of earth, geology and excavation, and are aimed primarily at older children, but with some opportunities for younger children too. 

Historically, there were several stone quarries in the proximity of the site, with a train line to transport the extracted material to the city and docks.  The design uses abstract forms to create opportunities for a range of imaginative play and social experiences to be accommodated without being overly prescriptive.

The experiences are designed to encourage older children and young people to engage in a range of physical and social activities.  The design aims to be inclusive, and particularly considers provision of safe and attractive spaces for teenage girls, who often feel excluded from traditional parks and play spaces. We have referred to research collated by the organisation, Make Space for Girls.

The design consists of a ‘carved’ landscape in neutral colours, with ‘add-on’ components in bright red to continue the language of the Enchanted Woodland playground design. The proposed surrounding trees and wildflower planting are also integrated into the design.

Installations create places to sit and watch games taking place on the adjacent playing fields; and circulation connects with the proposed footpaths.

‘The primary aim of designing a play space must be to offer children a rich play environment where they can have a wide variety of play experiences and, where possible, learn about the natural environment.’

[Source: Design for Play – A Guide to Creating Successful Play Spaces, Play England, 2008]

This project was done through collaboration with Analog Architecture.