project details

project: ACT Woman's and Children's Hospital playspace

client: George Gregan Foundation

location: ACT Woman's & Children's Hospital

conceptual design: ric mcconaghy

conceptual design graphics: dcb.net.au

detailed documentation: Group GSA

contract administration: ric mcconaghy

construction: Leighton

suppliers: Play Rope, Glooloop Surfacing Specialists, Willow Park Nursery, Cool Green Horticulture, B&D Cranes, AD College, Brandfuel

artists: Art Nouveau, Tim John, Glenn Romanis, Jamie Sergent

photography: Jodi Mcconaghy Photography

design objective

To create a new George Gregan Playspace at the Canberra Children’s Hospital with a merged jungle / Australia theme. Players well enter the space from the foyer and immerse in an Australia bush setting. On each path there willbe a planted portal through which they pass and energe into a jungle landscape. They ther return back home therough the bush setting.

It is intended to :

- construct an artificial lagoon / billabong within a using artificial rock complimented by natural rainforest / bush planting

- fabricate a series of jungle / native creatures with various levels of interaction

- utlilize the undercroft area to create a darker area with caves, discovery, clambering and lighting effects

- install a range of movement activated and mechanically activated sound devices with a range of jungle / bush /musical sounds - construct a central mound with jungle / bush hut including various sliding, climbing and clambering opportunities

- illuminate various areas with artificial twinkling stars, everlasting fire and backlit low level misting