A new housing development with a playpark at its heart has successfully combined contemporary and countryside living. Lead architect Oliver Hardiman discusses how Caledonia Play’s wooden kit helped merge the project into the Perthshire countryside.
“It’s essential,” says Oliver Hardiman discussing the newly installed play area at the Duntuim Development at Aberfeldy. “There are lots of children in the estate who used to play in the streets. There was also a massive oak tree and a green area where the children used to play, so the new play equipment is very welcome and being used a lot, which is great.”
As lead architect for the latter phases of the Duntuim project, Oliver is keenly aware of the development’s appeal. Masterminded by private residential developer Duntaylor Developments, the project features a selection of three and four-bedroom bungalows and villas with views to highland Perthshire and just a five-minute walk to the local secondary school. Located at the western edge of the town, Duntuim is ideal for families.
“I think the playpark will attract a lot of people going forward. The development in general will appeal to a mixed demographic including lots of young families. It’s great to have a playpark on your doorstep, especially with so many kids.”
Although the playpark was a planning stipulation associated with the scheme, the play equipment was sourced from Caledonia Play, an independent manufacturer of wooden play equipment which is designed and built using slow-grown timbers for hard-wearing durability.
“They knew immediately what we were after,” says Oliver, a director at local firm Eòlas Architects. “We had a play equipment drawing and they had equipment that slipped right into it. They had the right stuff to go in the right place. It was spot on.”
The equipment included three sleeper benches, a log maze climber and a single tower with scramble net. “It’s nice equipment,” Oliver noted. “It's got a good feel about it.”
The fitout also featured a double swing frame, a four-person seesaw, stepping log columns and striding timber stilts. Based on round-timber designs, Oliver says Caledonia Play equipment satisfied the team’s requirement for a natural solution.
“The whole point about Duntuim is that it’s not an anodyne housing development,” he explains. “It’s supposed to have a bit of character, be a bit warmer. And it’s in a beautiful rural setting, so that was really key. The playpark sits right next to a burn and is set in a leafy wooded area, so the wooden equipment fits right in.”
Not only did the equipment match the aesthetics of the environment, it also met the necessity for longevity stipulated by Perth and Kinross Council, which is likely to take over the maintenance of the playpark in due course. Their approval was key, Oliver explains.
“Part of the process was getting the local authority to approve the equipment. We consulted with them and, in the end, it was their decision. They had to be satisfied with regards to the robustness of the playpark,” he says. “Obviously, they wouldn’t accept equipment that wasn’t robust enough. They’re not going to be interested in replacing the kit every three or four years. So that was important.”
Using pressure-treated and wax-impregnated timbers, Caledonia Play produces play equipment that is both safe and stable. As importantly, in-house designers, engineers and installation teams mean Caledonia Play manufactures all its timber play equipment on site and delivers directly to its customers.
“They’re easy to work with,” says Oliver. “Because Caledonia Play wasn’t a subcontractor to a main contractor, they could just get on with it. Everything was with Caledonia Play; they’re independent. They’re good people to work with and I enjoyed the process.”
The Duntuim Development has been a success with all the properties now spoken for, with Caledonia Play’s equipment at its core. “It’s a beautiful playpark because you’re overlooking this stunning countryside, and it’s being used. The kids love it. A lot of people are really pleased to see it open.”
