HAMPTON HILL JUNIOR SCHOOL

In 2009 in my semester abroad studio there was a design competition for a children’s playground in
Hampton Hills Surrey County for children between the ages of 3 and 11. After presenting our ideas to the school in the audience of the children that would use it, my proposal was selected as the
second runner-up for development. This led me and Zulu Ekmonde (the winner) to consolidate our concepts and create a new proposal that was commissioned by the school to be built. The playground area is very small therefore using every square meter of space was crucial along with using the perimeter wall surface. We divided the area into four main spaces, on the top right we used
an undulating wall to contain a sand bed for toddlers to experience texture and free play. Knowing how children love small hiding spaces, on the bottom right we designed different sizes of wisteria
cocoons for the older children. The perimeter wall was converted into a rainwater harvesting display,
with a textured fountain wall and a vertical garden. Moreover, we extended the perimeter wall in the open space to provide a play wall, equipped with storage, toys, and a musical element; the xylophone