We designed the new Kurrajong Prep School play space for junior pupils aged five to eight as part of the grand masterplan at Barker College. The brief was to create a unique playspace, with a flexibility providing for outdoor classroom and encouraging children to play and learn. We worked closely with the junior school staff and architects to achieve this; it was a truly enjoyable process for the Umbaco team.  

We took the opportunity to custom design all key play elements. A large cubby house commands a central location with a slide, a challenging climbing wall, rope vortex and fire pole connecting level 1 with a cool rope bridge. An “Aussie cubby’ has a wrap-around veranda with a little shop front and a colour bond roof. Miniature play houses in pre-kindergarten area have blackboards; there is a tunnel with crawling lizards, and “walking clouds” where children can climb up and sit snugly, designed to fit just the little ones.   

A highlight of the play space is a water play element winding through gardens, bound by rocks leading into more climbing activities. All this is built over a new carpark. Students and their teachers love this space and it is a valuable addition to their classroom environment.