b'green thumbsPrimary placemaking Reclaimed for the communityWhen youre creating spaces for young children whoseSometimes its not just great colour use that helps activate a piece of public infrastructureits refreshing brains are still developing, the use of colour isnt justand maintaining it. That was certainly the case in North Sydneys Kesterton Park, where vivid, saturated aboutstimulationitalsobecomesimportantforcolours were used to revitalise two picnic huts. In doing so, it invited greater engagement by members of orientation and wayfinding, particularly among thosethe local community and provided a visual treat for ferry commuters.who might not yet be old enough to read. The picnic huts hadnt been painted since the 1980s and were in need of an upgrade. They looked Streetscapestalentedteamofdesignerscreatesneglected and uninviting, says Dr Zena OConnor of Design Research Associates, who initiated the andfabricatesarangeofstreetfurnituresolutionsproject. The appearance of the huts discouraged community engagement and detracted from the parks toenhanceopenspaceenvironmentsincludingmagnificent location on Sydney Harbour.decorative light poles, shelters and customised featuresResearch indicates that colour encourages interaction and engagement, and the refresh highlighted and art sculptures. When they were brought on boardthe role that colour can play in transforming and revitalising the urban environment.to manufacture a set of benches for Sunnybrae NormalPaulsaysthatoptingfortheL-andU-shapedthe occasional blast of a bold, bright colour can be theResene The design was based on the International Code of Signals (ICS) maritime flags used since the 1850s. Primary School, the school asked for the children toformations from their Mack Mitre Series instead ofpice de resistance of a project! Outrageous Each picnic hut panel was painted in the maritime signal for O or Oscar which reflects both the popularity be involved in the project. Streetscape had them helpstandard straight benches also created more inclusive,We have manufactured plenty of brightly colouredResene of sailing on Sydney Harbour and acknowledges the activities of the working harbour, says Zena.choose hues from the Resene KidzColour range. communal areas for the children to meet and interactfurniture for clients over the years with colours rangingBuddha Gold Two colour schemes were designed, one for each picnic hut. Resene Adrenalin, Resene Havoc, Resene Havingthestudentsinvolvedcreatedprideofand for parents waiting to pick their children up at thefrom Resene Buddha Gold and Resene Poppy red toResene Smitten, Resene Happy, Resene Left Field, Resene Point Break and Resene Fuchsia were chosen, inspired ownership with the children and gave the space a fresh,end of the day. Resene Elvis blue and even Resene Outrageous orangePoppy by yacht spinnakers, Jacaranda blossoms and the surrounding natural landscape.fun and interesting look and feel, says StreetscapesOur preferred paint system is Resene, and justfor a client who wanted his bench seat to match hisResene A Resene gloss finish was the ideal choice for this project as it provided the right level Paul Salmon. However, once they were installed thelikeResenepaints,StreetscapeproductsarealsoMcLaren sports car! Ive personally always been drawnRiptideof saturation and visual impact as well as maximum durability in all exposed conditionsteachers also discovered that the different colours ofproudly made and designed in New Zealand to suitto the tropical blue and green colours, Resene RiptideResene a prerequisite for the harbourside location of this project. thebenchescreatedspaceswithinthespace,withourcountrysuniqueconditionsandclimate,saysandReseneSpray;theyremindmeoflong,warmSpray ResenechildrenmeetingeachotherforlunchattheredPaul.Whilealotofthetimethecolourschosensummer days on the beach and in the surfbring it on! Resene To learn more about Dr Zena OConnors work, visit www.zenaoconnor.com.au. Point Breakbenches or making a playdate for handball outside thefor furniture designed in the public realm are pickedElvisyellow benches, for example. purposely to be colours to blend into the space, havingTo see more of Streetscapes work, visit www.streetscape.co.nz. Have you used Resene products to colour a public space? ReseneShare your project with us: editor@blackwhitemag.com. Resene AdrenalinLeft FieldResene ReseneFizz Get Reddyabove and right: Streetscapes Mack Mitre Series benches that they designed and fabricated for Sunnybrae Normal Primary School are in a range of hues chosen by the students from the Resene KidzColour range: Resene Get Reddy, Resene Wham, Resene Orang-atan, Resene Fizz and Resene Super Duper. above and right: The revitalisation of the picnic huts in North Sydneystop tipKesterton Park reclaimed them for the community after going over 40 years without being painted. The refresh in a design inspired by maritime Resene flags nods to the nautical surroundings in a fun and family-friendly paletteTo make bold colours Wham Resene of Resene Adrenalin, Resene Havoc, Resene Smitten, Resene Happy,pop, use a high gloss Super Duper Resene Left Field, Resene Point Break and Resene Fuchsia. Design andfinish such as Resene images by Dr Zena OConnor, painting contracted by Master PaintersEnamacryl gloss Australia, www.masterpainters.org.au. waterborne enamel, Resene Resene Super Gloss or Orang-atan Resene Resene Resene ReseneHappy Smitten Havoc Fuchsia Resene Uracryl 803.72 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 73'