b'green thumbopposite: A birds eye view of the award-winning Kopupaka Reserve Playspace in Aucklands Westgate neighbourhood shows how well it caters to a wide range of ages, abilities and activities. Resene Soft Apple, Resene Dingley, ReseneResene Clover, Resene Sundown, Resene Roadster, ReseneSharkPohutukawa, Resene Shark and Resene Waterborne Woodsman Banjul were used to colour the project.Resene ReseneSoft Apple SundownResene Resene Resene Waterborne Dingley Roadster Woodsman BanjulResene ReseneClover Pohutukawaright: Benches, tables and pergolas offer sheltered space and different seating options for watching children play, interacting with neighbours or enjoying a picnic with friends and family. The paint colours tie in to other elements within the playspace, making them feel like a connected part of the cohesive whole. The design team wanted a gloss finish on the benches and tables, so they started with a base in Resene Armourcote 220 followed by colour coats in Resene Uracryl 403 tinted to Resene Soft Apple, Resene Dingley, Resene Clover, Resene Sundown, Resene Roadster and Resene Pohutukawa. The timber deck boxes are in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen tinted to Resene Sundown and Resene Roadster, the tree stakes are stained in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Banjul and the shade structure posts are in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen tinted to Resene Shark. Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield protects a number of timber elements against graffiti and helps keep maintenance to a minimum.Community consultation was carried out throughout the design process, including with mana whenua. During the pre-design phase, I n a time where we need the connection and joy that play offersNina Rattray, Principal Architect at Auckland Council, saysthis even included consultation with children at a local school where more than ever, a space designed to bring people of all agesthe project was initiated to fill a significant gap in the areas playthey were asked what they would like to see in the playspace. Once together that celebrates colour is exactly what the doctor ordered. networkforthesteadilygrowingWestgatecommunity.Thethe design was complete, a public exhibition was held at the local Enter Kopupaka Reserve Playground, a large-scale playgroundspace was designed to function as a big Kiwi backyard, catering tomall to gather further feedback in addition to comments sought and park development set within a 26 hectare site in Aucklandsthe whole community. This is particularly important as Aucklandonline and through social media platforms to ensure the plan was Westgate neighbourhood. This reserve has got it all: a destinationembraces urbanisation and higher density living, where housesreflective of the communitys wants and needs.playground,twokick-a-ballareas,apicnicandBBQarea,aand backyards are typically smaller than they were traditionally. Ninabelieveslandscapearchitectsinvolvedinplayground waterplay area, an adult fitness area and a free play area thatAfter a period of so much isolation, Nina says it was vital that thedesign must not only deliver a childs happy place but also honour connects to an open space network of walkways and extensivedesign be welcoming to people of ages and abilities and offer themthe heritage of the site and the wishes of mana whenuaand riparian and revegetation planting. The playspace itself sits ata chance to participate in order to build that sense of communitycolour is a critical element of that. Colour has the power to the heart of the development, and its definitely not your run- ownership. Whether it be getting a morning workout on thewelcome and evoke the promise of fun times and pure joy, Award-winning playground bringsof-the-mill slide meets monkey bars affair. The project has beenfitness equipment, kicking a ball with mates, having a BBQ, picnicshe says. The colour palette we used was inspired by the rural spirited colour and community toturning heads across the country, taking home both the Newor birthday gathering at the park, simply taking a walk or taking theandhorticulturalhistoryoftheareaspecifically,thesites Zealand Parks Playground of the Year Award as well as a Resenekids or grandkids to burn some energy on the playground, I believehistoric use as strawberry fields and for food production. The West Auckland reserve. Total Colour Landscape Award. this space provides something for everyone. redandgreenhues,ReseneSoftApple,ReseneDingley, 76 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 77'