Community Orchard Furniture - Initial Ideas

Hyde Park Community Orchard Furniture­

Initial proposals.

Richard ‘Arbarus’ Dawson 07932 050926 info@arbarus.co.uk

Postal: 60 Stamford Road, Mossley, OL5 0BG Studio: Unit W2/429, Woodend Mill, Mossley, OL5 9RR.

Hyde Park Community Orchard – Furniture.

Please find attached sketches and concepts for the furniture as requested.

These are initial ideas and thoughts presented in a rough form at present. I would anticipate developing these concepts from feedback, comments and suggestions from yourselves and through the consultation with members of the public who use the park and Orchard.

Initial design ideas for • • •

Long banquet picnic table on west side on the orchard near the formal gardens Formal seat on new path at end of the central ‘avenue’ on the south side of the Orchard Formal seat on the Wildlife Trail on the east side within the Orchard

Materials I am interested in sustainability and environmental concerns in my work and have considered these factors in options for materials for the pieces. I would suggest locally reclaimed timber or green oak from sustainable sources or locally sourced reclaimed timber.

Green Oak. • • • • • • •

Longevity Strength Decay resistance Requires little or no maintenance Using new timber links to the establishment of the new Orchard Will age with the Orchard and develop into it’s final appearance in parallel to the trees, plants and other features of the Orchard Offers a considered and controlled aesthetic

Reclaimed Timber.

• • • • • • •

Opportunity to recycle Retains and shows the character of it’s past life and usage Texture and markings add interest Would require treatment or maintenance depending on the material found Less consistent aesthetic May look older than the Orchard initially Allows creation of really individual and fascinating pieces with unique surfaces

All the pieces I have presented here could be created in either material.

Richard ‘Arbarus’ Dawson 07932 050926 info@arbarus.co.uk Postal: 60 Stamford Road, Mossley, OL5 0BG Studio: Unit W2/429, Woodend Mill, Mossley, OL5 9RR.

Design The designs offer unique and striking pieces that have character and interest whilst being functional, robust and inviting. I have taken traditional concepts for benches and tables and added unique features and details that stem from the Orchard, the park and the requirements of users.

I have hopefully avoided anything too outlandish or unusual and aim to produce concepts that are sympathetic to the Orchard and surrounding park.

The bench for within the Orchard should offer seclusion and comfort forming a quiet, contemplative area for sitting and enjoying the peaceful beauty of the Orchard. It offers a more unusual design as an exciting ‘hidden’ feature to be discovered within the Orchard.

The bench on the path should be attractive, comfortable and welcoming, drawing the eye towards it and inviting spending time sitting and enjoying the view across the Orchard. It is simple and elegant and fits in with other formal furniture within the park.

Notes for further development Incorporate simple carved text on the benches to celebrate the Orchard Link the benches design and aesthetic to the Wildlfie Trail, Classroom area etc more closely Develop the ideas presented from feedback received, creating finished maquettes for presentation.

Present the ideas to park users for feedback and comment – perhaps within the Café.

Notes to sketches The table benches can be mixed and matched between concepts.

I have included a few bench ideas for the banquet / picnic table with backs as required for older users.

The banquet / picnic table would be continuous for its full length.

The banquet / picnic table benches would be split to allow ease of getting in and out.

Wheel chair access is provided at either end of the banquet / picnic table and could be provided at points along the side if required.

Richard ‘Arbarus’ Dawson 07932 050926 info@arbarus.co.uk Postal: 60 Stamford Road, Mossley, OL5 0BG Studio: Unit W2/429, Woodend Mill, Mossley, OL5 9RR.