GB-A

Frew Park Arena Play Structure

ARCHITECTURE

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Frew Park Arena Play Structure

The Arena Play Structure resembles no other playground around. Built on the grounds where the iconic Milton tennis stadium once stood, its theme deconstruction honours history with reminiscent contemporary play precincts that reflect stadium spaces.

The grandstand is brought to life with large precast concrete panels of varying heights and angles, suspended concrete slabs, angled steel struts, steel mesh tunnels and barriers, and angular folded roof canopies arranged in an arc to enclose a central lawn space. It even features a Commentary Box – a steel-mesh box suspended eight metres above the ground, offering greater thrill to playground goers.

While the Arena Play Structure provides play experience for all age groups and abilities, in contrast to recent design trends it specifically targets players of 10 to 15 years. Supplemented by theme-specific play elements and street art, the Arena Play Structure offers players slides, climbing walls, swings, nets and ropes, hang-out spaces, and interactive spaces designed to fuel their imagination.

Stage A works included the refurbishment and extension of an existing two-storey classroom block as well as the construction of a new covered walkway through the centre of the school.

PROCESS

The grandstand is brought to life with large precast concrete panels of varying heights and angles, suspended concrete slabs, angled steel struts, steel mesh tunnels and barriers, and angular folded roof canopies arranged in an arc to enclose a central lawn space. It even features a Commentary Box – a steel-mesh box suspended eight metres above the ground, offering greater thrill to playground goers.

METHODOLOGY

While the Arena Play Structure provides play experience for all age groups and abilities, in contrast to recent design trends it specifically targets players of 10 to 15 years. Supplemented by theme-specific play elements and street art, the Arena Play Structure offers players slides, climbing walls, swings, nets and ropes, hang-out spaces, and interactive spaces designed to fuel their imagination.

AWARDS

2015

Australian Institute of Architects

Hayes & Scott QLD Award for Small Project Architecture Category – Winner

2015

Australian Institute of Architects

Small Projects Category – Queensland Regional Commendation

2015

Parks and Leisure Australia

National Awards of Excellence – Play Space Award: Major Over $500k – Winner

2015

Parks and Leisure Australia

QLD Awards of Excellence – Play Space Award: Major Over $500k – Winner

2015

AILA Queensland

Landscape Architecture Awards for Excellence – Landscape Architecture Design

TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND

The Yuggera People

COMPLETION

2014

LOCATION

Brisbane, Queensland

CLIENT

Brisbane City Council

PROJECT CONTACT

PHOTOGRAPHY

Scott Burrows Photography

VALUE OUTCOMES

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“GB-A were an absolute pleasure to work with. The team on site and in the office never cut corners and were committed to delivering a very high quality project.”

Jim Spainard, Golburn Enterprise

Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy. Drawing on the knowledge from our Greenstar accredited team members and specialist consultants in environmentally sustainable design, we ensure our project teams integrate creativity with scientific rigour, to create designs that are conscientious of the natural environment and local ecology. Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy.

PRINCIPLES OF PASSION

During the design process, our project team not only considers the physical context of the designs but also examines the social and cultural context. Through every design, we look for ways to inspire positive attitudes, behaviours and emotional responses in people to encourage the responsible use of resources, increase cooperation among occupants, and communicate the values of society and cultural diversity.
Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy. Drawing on the knowledge from our Greenstar accredited team members and specialist consultants in environmentally sustainable design, we ensure our project teams integrate creativity with scientific rigour, to create designs that are conscientious of the natural environment and local ecology.

We design built environments from a holistic, sustainable perspective: each project reconciles ecological and social impacts within the current economic climate. We holistically evaluate environmental, cultural and financial sustainability in every task we undertake.