For this project our client was the director of L.I.SD.O.L.A., which is the outdoor learning center for the school district. She asked us to design certain structures for the park that would help give the kids a more memorable experience. I chose to design a playground off of the Forbidden Forest Trail that could teach the kids more about the trees in the area. I was inspired by the Prickly Ash Tree, so I made sure to incorporate the spike structure into the park somehow.
Sketches
Study Models
When I first started the project, I wanted there to be a bridge that went from one side of the trail to the other, but due to building restrictions I was told that they wouldn't be able to do that. That's when the playground was moved completely to one side of the trail (shown in the fourth sketch). The study models were used to see how the Prickly Ash steps could be built. The last study model was used as an example for flooring that would be made out of tree stumps so students could see the tree rings.
Final model
The final product has four sections that get the kids involved with nature. The triangular steps on the left are supposed to be built around a tree and are meant to mimic the Prickly Ash. The center octagon will the kids close up to the tree bark so they can see how detailed it is and feel the texture of the bark. Next, the tree canopy tower will get them higher in the trees so they can see the structure of the branches, and when they get done with that they can slide down the "fallen tree" slide. Lastly, the ramp is meant to connect the kids back to the ground. The cut outs in the floor focus their attention on the ground so they can see the twigs, leaves, and insects that live on the ground. The playground is also in sections, so three pieces that connect to the octagon can be attached on any side allowing flexibility in the building design.