Roundwood framing is an ideal material for play projects; the natural aesthetic of the Roundwood adds interest and excitement to the play areas. With careful detailing and protection, we can ensure our frames will last. Having manufactured many play frames in collaboration with partners over the past 10 years, we are excited to now be offering our play frames with a complete bespoke design and build service. See below for some example of our collaborative work.

NEWS

Play frame design

Play frames are a wonderful application of Roundwood timber framing due to the durability and aesthetic of the building technique. We have the experience to take on every aspect of a project from concept design and planning, through to construction and maintenance.

The Insect Hotel

This is a recent concept design for a woodland park educational play area. Multiple roundwood towers form this insect themed play area, with a ‘human-sized’ insect hotel entrance consisting of a long timber tunnel amidst the tubes of the insect hotel. Each tower is linked with multiple play routes of varying difficulty levels making it accessible to different ages and abilities. Once in the ‘hotel’ there is a challenging course to be negotiated, with a secret den to be discovered.

The high point gives a view over the area as if from the view point of a bird perched above and looking for a meal (in our experience with ‘play’ design, ‘finding things’ is a most effective way to entice children to go a bit further). This proposal aims to combine imagination and active play with educational elements.

The Ginormous Spider Design below is a concept design for another area of the park.

The HUMONGOUS Spider

Concept: A humongous spider hiding under a leaf and peering out from the trees.

An octagonal roundwood tower supporting the head and body of a spider (Refer to on next page spiral staircase). The head and Body are proposed to be clad in blackened timber (burnt and brushed). The legs, constructed from Robinia will also be blackened to bring the spider form to life and make it stand out from the surrounding lighter structure and the forest backdrop. A ‘thread like’ rope swing will drop down from the spiders abdomen for added immersive play value. The joy of this design is that the precise shape and position of the legs is carefully mapped onto the ground form, to give the impression of a spider crawling over the landscape. Large triangular steps mean that all ages can make their way up into the body and head of the spider and pear out through the eyes at the adults below.