More about the Play area at Glade Hill Primary School, Nottingham

Children's Play Areas
Ceramic work
Timber and Steel
Lighting
Water Fountains

Click here to see the main page showing the play area at Glade Hill Primary School

View of the Tower

Commissioned by Glade Hill Primary School, this play area surrounds the school's existing brick water tower. It incorporates a two storey play tower with grass roof, climbing structures, rope bridge, slide and seating.

We designed this 225 square metre space area during a 'Creative Partnerships' residency at the school. The design evolved during workshops with pupils, the head teacher and staff.

We worked with the children during the design phase of the project (seen above). Groups of children created models of their fantasy play areas using cardboard, wood, glue string and cellophane. Before devising our final proposal we interpreted the children's fantastic designs and consulted the head teacher.

Tom Straker and his team of timber framers prefabricated the timber work from green oak and Douglas fir at his Hereford workshop. Once the main timber structure was complete we added a 'Huck Nets' rope bridge and slide. Climbing holds were bolted to the climbing ramp and the water tower.

The designer Conrad Cookson designed versatile stackable timber play boxes for the project.

The commission was challenging. We compressed many innovative climbing structures into a relatively small area, while designing and installing to strict safety standards.