Projects
Synergy Park Land (Western Power Parkland)
Client: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
Location: Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia
Date: 2000 - 2006
Category: Recreation
The Western Power Parkland, sees the redevelopment of the Arthur Fairall playground and surrounds into a dynamic family recreation area with a focus on stories of energy and biodiversity. The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority commissioned Plan E to design, document and administer the 1.6 million dollar redevelopment of this much loved area within Kings Park which was originally constructed in the 1960’s with a strong naturalistic bushland theme and setting.
The commission was to completely redevelop the Arthur Fairall playground with a safe and vibrant playground that was true to the original design intent, met contemporary building and safety codes and provided a learning experience for all playground users based on the themes of energy and biodiversity. The playground was to provide a unique play and visual experience based on the use of natural materials including timber and steel and, through the installation of artworks throughout area, provide a strong information and learning experience for all users.
The works also included replacement of the Bovel Kiosk with a new café called Café Zamia. The $600,000 café is based on passive design principles including passive heating and cooling, the use of energy efficient appliances and lighting, and solar energy external lighting.
The success of the redevelopment can be gauged by the significantly higher numbers of patrons using the playground and associated facilities since redevelopment, and the majority of respondents to a recent Kings Park user survey that judge the Western Power Parkland playground the best in Perth in catering for it’s design age group of 7 to 14 years of age.
Awards
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Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA)
2004 | Western Power Parkland - National Commendation Award
Parklands and children’s playground Kings Park and Botanic Garden Perth, Western Australia
Client: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
Gallery
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Water Play
Playground with the theme of the sun and its relationship to earliest life (Palaeozoic Era)
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Island Fort
Iconic fort structure provides shade and interpretation opportunities for park users.
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Adventure Playground
Adventure Playground with the theme of wind and fossil land fauna (Jurassic)
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Play Elements
Interpretive walk protraying the story of the continental land mass and fossils through time.
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Artworks
Timber artworks depicting fossil land fauna (Jurassic)
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