b'green thumbResene Green Leaf, Resene Clover, Resene Sundown, Resenetyres which would have been otherwise destined for incineration.left: The colourful berry balls are RoadsterandResenePohutukawa,taketheircuesfromtheAmenity planting around the playspace includes a wide selectionjust one of many design elements strawberry during its various stages of ripening and its foliage.of edible or productive trees and herbs as groundcovers suchthat hark back to the sites former These colours are woven throughout the playground, enliveningas thyme, rosemary, grape, olive, wild strawberry, hazelnut andfruit production history and tie into the Resene paint and wood its bespoke structures and site furnitureincluding the metalapple. Plus, a number of Environmental Choice-approved Resenestain colours used across the picnic sets, which also feature laser-cut patterns of abstractedproducts, such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and Reseneproject, including Resene Soft strawberry seeds.Waterborne Woodsman, were used to colour various surfaces. Apple, Resene Dingley, Resene FurthercolouredaccentscanbefoundinsidetheplayWe used a combination of Resene paints and timber stains,Clover, Resene Sundown, Resene structures bespoke timber stacked orchard crate tower, whichand our product choices were based on the substrate and desiredRoadster, Resene Pohutukawa, features walls of different hues at each level, as well as the insidefinish for each surface. A gloss finish - Resene Uracryl 403 - wasResene Shark and Resene wall of the junior structure in the sandpit area. The pink andused for the site furniture and picnic sets to provide maximumWaterborne Woodsman Banjul.red accents in Resene Sundown, Resene Roadster and Resenevisual impact, longevity and ensure ease of cleaning whereas a low Pohutukawa also pop when set against the contrasting backdropsheen finish - Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen - was selected for its of lush green vegetation surrounding the playspace, adds Nina. recessive properties and used on surfaces like the shade structureResene The coloured elements and accents were balanced out by theposts, says Nina. The decision was also made to use ReseneDingleynaturally-weathered purpleheart and robinia timber that was usedUracryl GraffitiShield on the painted elements of timber within the for the playground equipment while other playground equipment,playground along with the in situ concrete seating throughout the such as the slide, spinner and fitness equipment, was restrictedplayground to enable easier maintenance of the space.to a green colour palette. The play equipment is set into a paleFor Jon Scanlan, Director of Walkspace, the colour palette beigeandgreenstripedlandscape,representingtheformalwas key in making the project such an overwhelming success. HeReseneResene gridded rows of strawberry fields. At one end of the playspacesays their company began working with the Auckland CouncilSoft Apple Cloverthis is interrupted by a series of undulating darker green moundsLandscape Architecture Team from a very early conceptual stage representing furrows. Balancing berry balls are set into theseto develop and customise Walkspaces public furniture suites, the mounds to reinforce the red, pink and green colour palette, as welllarge shade structure and other street furniture elements.as providing opportunities for informal play, Nina explains. I believe the storytelling and a strong design brief evident The environment was also a key consideration for the project.fromourfirstearlydiscussionswiththeprojectteamwasResene Materials were selected for their longevity, including the ForestinstrumentalinprovidingastrongcohesivelanguagethatSundownStewardshipCouncilpurplehearttimberusedthroughouttheguidedeachaspectfromdesign,tocolour,toform,saysPlayground People was another collaborator on the projectcommunity focal point with a range of different elements forI love nothing better than turning up playgroundandforthesitefurniture.TheshockpadlayerofJon. The colour palette also adds a high level of interest. Wewho assisted in realising Auckland Councils vision for the space.all ages and abilities. In modern urban villages with increasingon a normal Tuesday morning and seeing the playground surfacing upcycled approximately 6,480 scrapso often work in shades of Resene Blast Grey 1, 2 or 3 so theThrough a series of workshops, they made suggestions and feddensity and housing intensification, often a mix of people are20+ cars in the carpark and the playground incorporationoftheboldcolourwaysonthisprojectaddsaback iterative rendered models of Ninas initial sketches to refinebrought together to form brand new communities. Kopupakafullofpre-schoolersandtheirparentsorResene lot of fun. I also think the selected colours integrate into theplay elements to fit the theme, maximise the play value andis a wonderful community space that offers a range of facilitiesgrandparents. Its always very satisfying to seeRoadsterright and above: Kopupaka Reserve Playspace brims with welcomingnatural environment successfully and the nesting of seating incomply with safety standards. and provides a space to play, exercise, socialise and meet newthe playspace so well used with lots of happy colours that tie into the sites heritage and history. The decision was madethe various colourways works really well, as does the suppliedDuring the design and engineering process, we always keepneighbours that caters to all agesnot just children. memories being created. to incorporate colour into the site furniture as a playful element intendedartwork which was incorporated into the seating throughout thein mind the final design that could be realistically manufactured,The colour palette, inspired by the lifecycle of a ripening to evoke a sense of fun, explains Nina Rattray, Principal Landscapepark. Our accessible drink fountains and bike racks encourageinstalledandmaintainedtoprovidemanyyearsoffunandstrawberry, was an interesting choice for a childrens playspacearchitectural and colour specificationArchitect at Auckland Council. Pulling the colour palette across fromalternative forms of transport to the site and extend the timememories, says Kane McFadden of Playground People. The which usually rely more on the primary coloursbut it worksAuckland Council Landscape Architecture Teamthe playground to the furniture ties the wider space together to createbuild, painting, play equipment supply and designa cohesive and holistic environment. The picnic tables and benches arepeople can stay. And the result is a successful urban space thatcore structures were all made in our South Auckland Factory.reallywell.IthelpstiethespacetogetherwiththecohesiveResene painted in Resene Uracryl 403 tinted to Resene Soft Apple, Resenecan be utilised and enjoyed by a wide range of people that isEach strawberry box was constructed individually before beingcolours used in the matting, furniture, EPDM balance balls andHEB Construction, www.heb.co.nz PohutukawaClover, Resene Sundown, Resene Roadster and Resene Pohutukawa. different from any other public space we have worked on. transported to site and then lifted into place. all the painted sections on the play equipment. Playground People, www.playgrounds.co.nzThe feature wall in the play structure is painted in Resene LumbersiderWe are really proud of our involvement on the project andFrom start to finish this has been a very collaborative processWhen asked about his favourite elements, Kane found it difficultQuality Build Limited, www.qualitybuild.co.nzLow Sheen tinted to Resene Dingley. the effectiveness of the colour aesthetically but also reinforcingwith all parties aiming to deliver the same great outcome, addsto choose. The playground has been a tremendous success andWalkspace, www.walkspace.co.nzplay surfaces Numat, www.numat.co.nzResene Resene Resene Waterbornethe story of the sites past, adds Jon. The greatest part of theKane. Nina and the Auckland Council team did a wonderfulit gets a lot of use. I like to keep an eye on things and so I regularlyimages Benjamin Loh, Bryan Lowe,Green Leaf Shark Woodsman Banjulproject is seeing people utilise and enjoy the space. jobofcreatingnotjustachildrensplayground,butarealhead out there mid-week to see how particular elements are going.Kane McFadden, Nina Rattray, Jon Scanlan78 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 79'