Bespoke Pod Playground

Eastern Creek, NSW, Australia
Performance Features & Finishes Public
a playground with a slide and wooden structure
The newly developed Eastern Creek Quarter features an Australian-first 'revolving retail' concept as part of their entertainment precinct 'ECQ Social'. This unique, sustainable and engaging outdoor space features a custom-designed playground with exceptional use of timber such as curved glulam and recycled hardwoods. Reflecting its high-profile Western Sydney Parklands location, ECQ is a global leader in environmental sustainability. Stage 1 has been awarded a 6 Star Green Star Design rating by the Green Building Council of Australia, representing world leadership.
Location

159 Rooty Hill Road South

Eastern Creek NSW

Australia

a playground with a slide and wooden structure
a playground with a wooden structure
a structure with a structure in the middle

Overview

At the core of the concept was the vision to design a place that brought people together. The concept responds to local demographics to directly inform the programming and design, acknowledging the importance of creating a place accessible for younger families. Materials and the design character of the play space are influenced by the surrounding parklands, and emerging landscaped space for the community.

The space offers entertainment, shopping, and alfresco dining areas and an activated outdoor space including an innovative curved timber pod play design which has functionality and neighbourhood at heart.

The unconventional geometry of the Pod structures, sustainability benchmarks and the commercial factors for the design were all key considerations and the end result has produced a truly unique and site-specific solution that integrates with the natural surrounds as well as complementing the interior fit-out of the retail centre. 

We were looking for a material with good stability and sustainable credentials and resolved to bend Accoya wood as the best approach. We were able to ensure minimal environmental impact, while delivering a robust and playful playground that brings the concept from paper to life.  

Concept and design by Arcadia Landscape Architecture & detailed design and finalisation by Tilt Industrial Design.