Project

Massey & Harris worked alongside artist Mel Chantrey to turn his conceptual drawings into various pieces of play equipment for a park in Green Quarter Central Gardens, Southall, London.

The sketches provided by Mel were taken and developed to ensure that the play equipment could be manufactured and complied with the relevant play standards.

Location

Green Quarter Central Gardens is located in Southall, London where, in 1869, a gasworks was constructed by Brentford Gas Company. Further gasworks were constructed on the site during the 1930s.

In 2014, the Southall Big Plan was published as a blueprint for what the future of the Southall Gasworks site could look like, including the development of the area and how its open spaces would provide areas for all to enjoy.

Solution

Massey & Harris created various pieces of bespoke play items with a centrepiece rope climber known as the “Vortex Climber”, a unique play item with subtle nods to the area’s history.

On all pieces of play equipment, there’s subtle design details that allow the equipment to fit into the area seamlessly. The details also offer a link to the area’s gasworks history.

Result

Following completion in July 2021, the people of Southall and the wider community came to enjoy the opening of the Central Gardens to the public in August 2021.

The opening of the Central Gardens is the first phase of a 500m-long park within 4.5 acres of accessible open space for residents and the local community to enjoy.

The playground has been warmly received by local residents and has allowed children to play in stunning surroundings.