A site was selected within a woodland valley by the Council to accommodate play facilities for children ages 5-15. East asked how can we design a building that is safe, yet enables children to assess risks responsibly? How can you have an adventure while satisfying building regulations?

The playground is located in the previously dilapidated coachworks building in the south-western corner of the Ore Valley. Heavily insulated timber rooms are inserted in the refurbished shell, to house facilities such as a large kitchen, music and sensory rooms, toilets and changing rooms and a staff room. The outside area continues to evolve with the community and children’s participation, as a space that children own and are empowered to shape and design.

The playground offers a variety of inclusive play opportunities including places where children can build their own structures with storage containers full of tools and equipment, quiet areas, wild nature areas, food growing, water play, a fire pit, slides, zip line, places for digging and making dens.

Location: Hastings

Client: Hastings Council

Project status: Completed 2010