The Naracoorte Fossil Hunters Playspace is a multi-award winning playspace situated at the Naracoorte Caves, South Australia’s only World Heritage-listed site. The site sits in a depression and has a number of significant trees surrounding it. The design incorporated a welcoming path defined by two stone snakes but hides most of the play elements below or behind the mound which only become evident as the visitors ascend the hill. The design reflects the nearby caves consisting of a central sink hole with multiple tunnels leading out to different spaces. These tunnel systems allow children to go over, under and through the space being lost and found as they travel through. The design also incorporates a wide steel slide , a basket swing, cubby frames, balance logs and limestone boulders. A log scramble sits over an intricate rope net and a beautifully designed learning circle and story-telling chair allows a unique space for sharing of knowledge and history.
The design balanced the clients request for it to act as an educational tool, with the need expressed by children to learn and explore in an interactive way. Consultation with palaeontologists ensured the design of elements reflected the information provided on cave tours. Rammed earth walls constructed with pigmented layers (representing sedimentary deposits) bordering sandpits where replica fossils are buried. Inclusion of locally reclaimed materials and natural timbers was a design priority with 90% of materials in the construction salvaged from the site or within a 5km radius. Specifications were made to ensure wooden elements with a high resilience and long life span were utilised, ensuring longevity.
Considerations were made in the design to reduce waste, this was achieved with the use of natural materials and ensuring spoil removed from sandpit excavation was used in the design of the mound.
Endemic plants were incorporated into the design reflecting the 6 local Indigenous seasons.
Ever wondered what our towns and cities would be like if children designed them?
Climbing Tree prides itself on engaging with children from design right through to construction. With a background in education our team is experienced in the diversity of children’s language – both spoken and unspoken. We believe that listening to the children’s voice serves as a great foundation for good design.
We also consider collaboration with children a design development process in its own right. We ensure that children are actively engaged and involved throughout the planning of our projects, and give them, our most important customers, a chance to critically reflect, form and express their own opinions about what we are creating for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
For too long schools have been institutions for the industrial capitalist society we live in and we have lost sight of the essence of life itself. According to studies by Nature Play SA, our children spend less than 2 hours a day outside and 87 percent of children spend more time playing indoors than outdoors. Additionally, in South Australia, children spend an average of 4.5 hours a day in front of a screen, exceeding the national average by half an hour! We are at a crucial point in history where we need to give our children valuable exposure to the natural world through initiatives such as Nature Play SA.
How can we expect the next generation to care for something they have had no exposure to? Children spend 7 hours a day for 13 years of their lives in schools so what a great opportunity to give these students just a little exposure to beautiful natural environments where they can play, learn, relax, and develop a love and understanding for mother nature and the great outdoors.
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