project timeline
engagement & development
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
319
409
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342 426
1917
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579
439
972
1175
289
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184
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194 130
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1023
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655 500
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684
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1023
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181 618
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223 45
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157 212
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1024
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161
Detailed design developed through consultation with structural engineers, the playground inspector, Jason and 24 Design.
475
227 449 164 140 166
195
180
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
DETAIL DESIGN
36
464
61
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360
ROPE BRIDGE
Prototype pieces delivered to MMU. Matt, Maddi and Stefan assemble pieces in the courtyard space. 27th Nov
Maddi design and detailed the rope bridge betweens fins 8-10, working with Tay Play to finalise the components and connections Mar-Apr
DETAIL DESIGN Discussion with Structural Engineers regarding design of connection between planks of traverse wall and plywood ribs. 13th Jan
PRESENTATION AT LEFTCOAST
SEP
We met with Kerenza to discuss the issues with funding and the programme for the project. 14th Aug
SITE VISIT Maddi visited the site to speak with the community about the project development and take measurements of the play area. 29th Aug
Following initial engagement a concept scheme was proposed and shown to the community. We also explored building structures and constructing an ‘indoor playground’ within the community centre. 14th Aug
MEETING WITH MANUFACTURER We visited the workshop of 24 design in Trafford to talk with Graham Connell about the cutting of the panels for the playground construction. 30th Oct
Discussion with Structural Engineers regarding design of tabs for handrails. 2nd Dec
SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT Gathering quotes from playground equipment companies for basket swing and surface installation. Nov
JAN
DRAWINGS FOR CNC MACHINE MEETING WITH STRUCTURAL ENGINEER STL projects visited us at the msa to review the construction of the playground design and discuss load calculation and amendments prior to cutting the panels. 10th Nov
SITE VISIT Visit to chat with the community about the project and timeframe. Additional site measurements taken. 17th Nov
PROTOTYPE PANELS
MEETING WITH JASON MINSKY
We had a final meeting at 24 design to finalise the prototype panels to be cut in following days. 12th Nov
Jason came to the MSA to look at the detailed design and we discussed the construction stage of the project and an outline timeframe. 7th Nov
PREFABRICATION
DEC
DETAIL DESIGN
DRAWINGS FOR CNC MACHINE Final drawings sent to 24 Design to be cut. 19th Dec FIN 6 45mm
95mm
165 163 137 132 164 226 626 884 143 123 115 103 130 1133 181 149 150 205 673 447 223 855 194 484 598 297 100 618 611
140 366 500
Quantity
Total
Total
4 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Total
FIN 7 660 489 411 396 164 226 626 884 143 123 115 103 130 1133 181 149 150 205
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
673 447 223 855 194 484 598 297 100 618 611 11388
1 1 1
140 366 500 1006
45mm
PROTOTYPE PIECES CUT
136 163 161 1023 140 260 164 409 330 498 900 307 657 870 333 304 684 219 285 655 289 184 263 956 972 255 449 176 227 319 475 342 579 426 439 1980 1917
500 324 294 1175 1311
Quantity
Total
Total
6 5 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Total
FIN 8 816 815 483 2046 140 260 164 409 330 498 900 307 657 870 333 304 684 219
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
285 655 289 184 263 956 972 255 449 176 227 319 475 342 579 426 439 1980 1917 21423
4 1 1 1 1
2000 324 294 1175 1311 5104
45mm
200 500 330 105 650 372 989 1514 221 145 421 401 570 998 1147 1432 1518 1601 351 609 277 235 314 355 218 119 524 169
95mm
1023 500 650
Quantity Total 16 3200 2 1000 4 1320 3 315 2 1300 2 744 1 989 1 1514 1 221 1 145 1 421 1 401 1 570 1 998 1 1147 1 1432 1 1518 1 1601
Total
Total
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
351 609 277 235 314 355 218 119 524 169 22007
2 1 1
2046 500 650 3196
Matt worked in 24 Design for the day, ensuring drawings were correct for cutting on the CNC machine. 24th Nov
technical design
prefabrication
24 Design deliver plywood sheets of cut pieces to MMU. 19th Jan
20 mm diameter threaded bar, 400 mm long, welded to base plate with a 4 mm CFW 4M12 coach bolts
10 mm thick angle with 1M16 resin anchor bolt into slab per angle section
DOCUMENTATION Batten schedules prepared for fins and platforms. 8th Jan
18 mm thick marine plywood
Jason continued to construct the plywood cassettes at MMU, as well as treating the wood panel faces and battens. 23rd-27th Mar
SWING INSTALLATION
DETAIL DESIGN
Two 20 mm diameter nuts
SECTION THROUGH FIXED FOOTING WITH ELEVATION OF ANGLE SCALE 1:5
Structural Engineers send drawings of final design for fixed and adjustable feet connecting plywood fins to the ground. 29th Jan 18 mm thick marine plywood rib
50 X 50 mm square washer, 3 mm thick
FOOTING
140 X 140 mm square, 8 mm thick base plate with 2M12 resin anchor bolts
18 mm thick vertical marine plywood section that ribs slot into
2M12 Grade 8.8 bolts per batten
We also met the with the team from Wicksteed who were digging foundations and installing the swing frame. 22nd Apr
Steel feet manufactured at J E Gordon Manchetser, as specified by the structural engineer Mar
SECTION THROUGH ADJUSTABLE FOOTING WITH PLAN VIEW OF BASE PLATE SCALE 1:5
Timber batten to fit full height between ribs and width between vertical plywood section and existing SHS post. For stability, bolt to steel fence post with 3 mm thick washers and anti-tamper nuts on the ends of the M12 bolts Existing steel SHS fence post (assumed 90 X 90 mm)
Ms Mooney, Mr Shanley and Dr White
Project: Blackpool Plyground Title:
PROPOSED FOOTING DETAILS AND CLIMBING WALL-SHS POST CONNECTION.
Drawn by: MB Drawing No:
Date: January 2015
ASSEMBLY CONTINUED
INSPECTION Keith Dalton visits site to inspect the playground, checking for entrapment, material quality and that all regulations are complied with. He also will be training Albreda who lives on site to maintain and essentially ‘run’ the playground. 19th May
Jason and Joel continued working on site, adding the additional components to the main ply frame. This included the decking, the wall, hardwood capping and the slide 5th-6th May
Matt amended the design for the slide and detailed the construction ready for the play to be CNC cut and the sheet steel rolled. Mar-Apr
Rev. date initial
CONNECTION BETWEEN END OF CLIMBING WALL AND EXISTING SHS POST SCALE 1:5
Wicksteed subcontractors poured the required safety surfacing around the main equipment the swing 14th May
DETAIL SLIDE DESIGN
18 mm thick marine plywood rib
Client:
JUN ‘15
SAFETY SURFACING
Maddi, Matt and Stef travelled to site to set out the footing for the playground, ready for assembly the following week. 22nd Apr
Additional 45 X 45 mm timber battens with 22 mm diameter hole. Battens to span distance between vertical battens housed within fins
Additional 45 X 45 mm timber batten
Jason, Joel and Stefan went to site to finish the installation of the final pieces of equioment including the rope bridge, climbing grips, music pipes etc. Final snagging was undertaken and a test inspection was completed by Stefan. 13th May
MAY
PREFABRICATION
The Copyright of this drawing belongs to STL Projects Ltd and shall not be used or reproduced in any form without its express permission. The moral right of the Author is hereby asserted - Copyright © 2000. Do not scale from this drawing - Work to figured dimensions only. All dimensions to be confirmed with Architect, where applicable, or checked on site prior to the execution of any work. For the avoidance of doubt all dimensions are measured to wall structure and not the finishes unless otherwise stated. Where any discrepancy is found to exist within or between drawings and/or documents it should be reported to the engineer immediately. STL Projects Ltd shall not be liable for any use of drawings & documents for any purpose other than for which the same were prepared by or on behalf of STL Projects Ltd. This drawing is to be read in conjunction with all other relevant information.
45 X 45 mm timber batten
Equipment and testing
SETTING OUT
Meeting with Mark Scrivens (Head of Parks and Green Environment) and swing and surface contractors on site. 16th Feb
Resolution of connection between planks of traverse wall and plywood ribs. Additional ribs drawn and sent to 24 Design to be cut. 20th Jan
DELIVERY OF PIECES
APR
SITE VISIT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
95mm
developed design
Maddi and Matt worked on the manual to include additional drawings on the construction sequence, components, extra equipment and technical resolution . 25-26th Mar
MAR
FEB
First batch of final drawings sent to 24 Design to be cut. 5th Dec
After transporting all of the components to Blackpool we begun to assemble the pieces on site following our construction sequence, drawings and the manual. 27th Apr-1st May
Another section of playground was assembled and we made final preparations ready for site. 24th Apr
Sections of the playground were assembled in the courtyard of the MSA, testing out the joints and components. 1st-2nd Apr
Jason worked in the MMU workshop Shed, preparing pieces for assembly by sanding and staining. Battens cut for fins and platforms. 2nd-13th Feb
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
After consultation and discussion with a number of contractors we sent out a tender proposal for a basket swing and wet pour surfacing to Bounceback, Ludas Leisure, Ray Parry Design and Wicksteed. 23rd Oct
MEETING WITH KERENZA MCCLARNAN
CONCEPT DESIGN WORKSHOP
concept and community engagement
NOV
DETAIL DESIGN
SWING AND SURFACING TENDER DOCUMENTS
We met with Hamida Master and Tim Lupton from Blackpool Council to discuss the scope of the project, funding and feasibility. 31st Jul
brief design
Following a series of emails and phone conversations with the playground inspector Keith Dalton, we received feedback on the design and got the go ahead to start cutting the panels 11th Nov
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
MEETING AT BLACKPOOL COUNCIL
CONSTRUCTION Jason made amendments to prototype pieces to allow them to be used for final playground. Battens cut and fixed to Fins 6 and 7. 15th-19th Dec
OCT
MEETING WITH JASON MINSKY We met with Jason to talk about his involvement in the project, design and construction ideas. 13th Aug
PLAY INSPECTOR FEEDBACK
site assembly
FINAL PREP
PRE-ASSEMBLY
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Numerous design meetings between Matt, Maddi, Stefan and Helen have taken place throughout the design process. 9th Oct
AUG
JUL ‘14
We met at Leftcoast’s offices in Blackpool with representatives from the council to present the project and discuss possible funding. The project received £12k extra funding following this meeting 9th Oct
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
With some help from our MSA_p team we constructed the wall ribs by gluing and screwing the double construction layer. We put the precut battens onto the platform ribs and any additional pieces were cut. Jason, assisted by Tim, continued to work on the ply fins. 30th Mar-2nd Apr
MANUAL
COOL WALL activity WORKSHOP Using a range of precedents and a ‘cool wall’ within the community centre we discussed with the children and parents what they wanted from the playground. Intial montages and cool wall were left up until our next visit. 31st Jul
strategy and definition
1:1 PROTOTYPE
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INITIAL SITE VISIT We visited the Traveller site at Chapel road with Kerenza McClarnan to speak with the community about the project and assess the existing conditions of the site. 24th July
project phases
TEAM MSA_P!
We took the model to site to show the community and placed it in the play area to visualise what the space would look like. We also met with Tim Lupton, playground and equipment technician at Blackpool council about the design, maintenance and the handover of the project. 25th Sept
Scale: AS SHOWN @ A3
14-1356 SE01 Rev *
construction
assembly
inspection
handover
in use
Chapel Rd Community
Chapel Rd Community Hamida Master Zohra Dempsey Kerenza McClarnan Tim Lupton Madeleine Mooney Matthew Shanley Stefan White Helen Aston Jason Minsky Tim Spiller John Donnellon Andy Foot Carolyn Primett Lisa Foden Graham Connell Keith Dalton Jonathan Hayes Michael Brown Chris Williams Wicksteed Mark Scrivens Joel Rock
project team
key
types of play
Attunement Play
facilitating play and the imagination
Body Play and Movement
Object Play
Social Play
Imaginative and Pretend Play
Storytelling-Narrative Play
Creative Play
Play has been studied by those such as Jean Piaget who looked at cognitive development in children1, and more recently by Stuart Brown from the National Institute of Play and his theory of play beyond the confines of childhood. The National Institute defines play in 7 ways, one of many definitions of play, and these are shown above.2 These play types have then be identified within the model of the main piece of equipment, showing the diversity and complexity of the design.
1 Mooney, Carol Garhart. Theories Of Childhood. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press, 2000. 2. http://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_than_fun_it_s_vital
01.18
constr uction
materials and methodology
The choice of materials for the project was extremely important and something we considered from the outset of the concept design. We quickly identified the restraints of the budget and tried to maximise the design potential and experience we had as a team. This lead us to a construction method that utlises a ‘kit of parts’ idea, similar to the WikiHouse method, that allows greater potential for the scheme than would have done with standard playground construction materials. Working with a tight budget has meant we have had to keep a careful eye on costs and we have been fully involved in calculating material and construction costs along the way.
18mm treated marine plywood
145 x 45mm anti-slip deck boards
145 x 44mm planed and treated timber
Blackpool Travellers Community Playground summary costing 4943
Consultation and sketch design
materials
Metal rod footing
44Phase 1 x 44mm treated timber battons detailed design
complete
1000
Blackpool Travellers Community Playground
summary costing Materials Machining
2040.5 ext. quote 2000 ext. quote
special equipment inc fixings and hire Consultation and sketch design sand pit, cargo net etc.
4943 complete 1349.7 ext. quote
Phase 1
Cutting the marine ply on the CNC router
detailed design 1000 off‐site Assembly 1600 ph1 site assembly panels and decking 3000 Materials 2040.5 Rospa certificate 500 Machining 2000 total special equipment inc fixings and hire Phase 1 consists of the bespoke play equipment only sand pit, cargo net etc. 1349.7
Phase 2
off‐site Assembly 1600 ph1 site assembly panels and decking 3000 Consultation / engagement 500 Rospa certificate 500 Detailed design 1000 total materials 869 machining 1050 Phase 1 consists of the bespoke play equipment only Site assembly 2500 Special equipment inc. fixings Phase 2
est est ext. quote ext. quote
16433.22
total phase 1 and 2 23897.22
ext. quote
est est price price ext quote ext quote est
16433.22
total phase 1 and 2 23897.22
1545 ext quote
Consultation / engagement 500 price Detailed design 1000 price total from 7464 to 4000 estimated materials 869 ext quote machining 1050 ext quote Site assembly 2500 est Phase 2 includes the template and drawings for painting, planting and BMX track but does nto include their construction or material supply Special equipment inc. fixings 1545 ext quote
Assembling the cut pieces off-site
Specialist equipment separate supply and installation total New swing
from
7464 to
4000
estimated
Option 1 Large pendulum 5250 ext quote Phase 2 includes the template and drawings for painting, planting and BMX track but does nto include their construction or material supply Option 2 A frame pendulum 3600 ext quote Surfacing Specialist equipment separate supply and installation
Detail showing connection of climbing wall boards to the structural fins Constructing the pieces on-site
technical design sketches
WikiHouse method of construction.
1
1 http://www.wikihouse.cc/guide
Footing detail showing bracket, plate and bolts
Option 1 New swing
wet pour
2300 ext quote
Option 2 Option 1
rubber mulch Large pendulum
500 ext quote 5250
option 1
between 23600 and 27997.22 31447.22
estimated range: from 7550 to 3600 ext quote 4100 total = A frame pendulum and option 2 Surfacing Maintenance liability for Blackpool City Council All prices excluding VAT Option 1 wet pour 2300 ext quote as per more like 1000 per year (Mark Scrivens) 1/39th of the current maintenance cost for the exisitng 38 play option 1 between Option 2 rubber mulch 500 ext quote 23600 and estimated range: from 7550 to 4100 total = 27997.22 and option 2 31447.22 Option 2
costings - summary
01.19
Maintenance liability for Blackpool City Council
All prices excluding VAT
RISKY, regulations and standards FEEL PLAY SAFE
Due to the bespoke nature of the proposed playground it has been important to review and take into consideration the British Standards relating to children’s playground equipment, especially those relating to entrapment of body parts and critical fall heights. Below lists the regulations we have been required to comply with. BS EN 1176 Playground Equipment and Surfacing Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods Part 2: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for swings Part 3: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for slides Part 7: Guidance for installation, inspection, maintenance and operation Part 11: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for spatial networks BS EN 1177 Impact Attenuating Playground Surfacing: Determination of Critical Fall Height
Equipment Testing
However, risk taking is essential to children’s development as it builds confidence in their capabilities. In an increasingly risk-averse society, potential risks are often designed out. Designers need to find a balance between keeping children safe from harm and offering children risks challenges. Playground designers MONSTRUM create designs that allow children “to feel the excitement of being in danger and losing control for a moment”, creating the perception of risk but in a controlled way to meet safety standards, through the use of tilted equipment, climbing surfaces and fantasy-inspired forms.1
Keith Dalton, from the Play Inspection Company visited site on Wednesday 13th May 2015 to inspect the playground. Keith was testing a number of requirements such as those for finger and head entrapments (shown above), Critical Fall Heights with required safety surfacing, material quality, structural integrity, and also spaces that could be designed to restrict exit. Following the inspection some snagging alterations needed to take place but with those the main piece of equipment was approved for use by the community. As part of the inspection Keith also trained Albreda Taylor, a resident on site, in the maintenance and safety requirements of the playground. Additionally the council will be provided with a Construction and Maintenance Manual for the playground, produced by Myself and Madeleine Mooney, shown on the following pages.
Exploded Slide drawing, demonstrating minimum width requirements, appropriate enclosure and seemed joints and fittings.
constr uction
offsite prefabrication
constr uction
mode;lling to realisation
constr uction
onsite Assembly
constr uction
onsite Assembly
constr uction
onsite Assembly
Playground assembly video - play me!
completion
Final Images
completion
Final Images
completion
Final Images
completion
Final Images
reflection
personal thoughts on the project
Throughout the final year of our formal architectural education, the design project has been a constant reminder that we design for people and the realisation of a building proposal can only be measured as successful if it creates a better place for the user. In this instance, the user was a group of Gypsy and Traveller children, whose unfettered enthusiasm from the beginning of the project has proved to be an exceptionally strong influence on striving to produce an architecture that can make a difference to their young lives. We were lucky to be given a brief that permitted us to pursue the concept of a playable space, a concept that involves creating a design that allows children to discover and create their own activities - a “place of their own”. This concept provided the framework for the project and allowed us to perceive the situation in a way that crystallised our design reasoning. The initial challenge was to persuade the children, parents, Blackpool Coastal Housing and the project funders to recognise the weaknesses of traditional playground designs, (known derogatively as KFC (kit, fence and carpet) playgrounds) and then agree to create a bespoke, motivational space for play. The initial and subsequent site visits and consultations gave us first-hand experience of life for children on a Traveller’s site and the confidence needed to coalesce our ideas into a final proposal. Consulting with both parents and children provided valuable insights into their expectations and we were able to take on board their ideas. However, we were also aware that during these consultations we needed to manage their expectations and ensure we did not raise unrealistic hopes. In the early stages of the project, this was difficult as we were uncertain about the final budget figure and parents, who had been lobbying for a playground for over five years, were impatient for progress. In many ways, designing a playable space is designing in a playful way, allowing imagination to flow without concern and not allowing design problems to stall the process. Blackpool, as a place of fun and pleasure, is full of uninhibited designs and we felt we had leave to design an original piece, inspired by precedents and the local context. We produced a physical model of our final design proposal and presented this to the children and parents as well as other stakeholders. Whilst drawings and sketches stimulated discussions, it was the physical model that captured the potential reality of the playground and proved to be the most meaningful mode of exploration for the children, who used scale figures to show how they would play in the space. Budget constraints resulted in a number of compromises in the design, for example, part way through the initial design phase we discovered the community at Chapel Road were not eligible for a Community project Grant of £10,000 (nearly half of our initial budget of £23,000). However, following a successful presentation of the scheme to members of Blackpool Council, Blackpool Coastal Housing association and Leftcoast, we secured additional money that enabled our initial design to be realised. With adherence to the original concept of playable space, compromises did not detract from the final design. The financial constraints also ensured we considered material choice and mode of construction. The choice of timber ensured joints were kept relatively simple and were something we (with limited carpentry skills!) could understand and we could participate in the construction ourselves. Utilising a CNC router enabled us to design digitally and ensured minimal waste as we were able to calculate quantity requirements from our digital model.
Perhaps one of the most enjoyable aspects of the project has been the first-hand experience of helping to build the playground, seeing the carefully designed components piece together on site and the reaction of the children coming home from school to see the playground taking shape over the week-long on-site build. Throughout the project, our tutors have acted as mentors and enabled us to take on responsibility for realising the design as well as supporting and guiding us through the process of liaising with structural engineers, playground inspectors and funders. Without their continued support and negotiations to allow us to work outside the more formal university system, we would never have had this experience of a real life project. We are fortunate and grateful to have been given this opportunity.
Madeleine Mooney and Matthew Shanley
“
Because a playground doesn’t have to cost a million bucks and come in a box. In fact, it’s better if it doesn’t. Paige Johnson
”