Drawing inspiration from the site’s millennia-old rock formations, Vee Design’s concept was exciting - but also hugely challenging to design and detail in a way that could actually be realised. Our Design and Pre-Construction teams worked hand-in-hand with Vee Design and Lendlease to explore different iterations of their concept, together with the methodology required to successfully deliver it within the project budget. 

The approved design featured five custom monolith structures interconnected with a series of footbridges and climbing frames, interwoven with ‘strangler vines’ that helped to naturally frame the different play experiences and features within the park - all while maximising accessibility and the natural terrain of the site.

Given the desired size and shaping of the giant monoliths, materiality was an especially critical design consideration, with Glass-fibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC) chosen due its high strength, lightweight and almost endless shaping qualities - something that allowed to design to mimic the appearance of natural sandstone and blend into the surrounding landscape. Shadow studies were another key requirement from Lendlease. All up, the project saw us generate more than 11,000 separate concept and detail design files!

This was a large and very complex play structure, featuring a series of highly intricate custom elements that needed to connect seamlessly. Precision craftsmanship was absolutely essential. A multi-stage manufacturing process was also required with the main monolith substructures painstakingly fabricated by hand before being wrapped in wire mesh. This process alone required more than 3,000 fabrication hours.

The substructures were then carefully transported and installed at Springfield Rise, before being finished in situ by artisan crews skilled in the use and shaping of GRC. The steep terrain also presented its share of construction challenges, with a network of 85 separate concrete piers required, many founding directly into rock.

By far the most significant innovation at Mountain Park was determining the best way to create the monoliths. We tested numerous options, including the use of Corten folded steel cladding and pre-cast full concrete options, both moulded on and off site. After considerable exploration and analysis, GRC was chosen both for its creative and cost suitability on the project. An innovative yet relatively underutilised concrete alternative, it was able to be shaped into almost any form, providing the perfect material to cast the imposing monolith structures, without adding unnecessary weight or embodied carbon to the project footprint.

The shop detailing stages also required extensive use of parametric modelling software to optimise the shape of the complex root structures (inspired by the ‘Strangler Fig’) and curving steel elements to minimise wastage. This was a hugely technical process that would have been virtually impossible using conventional design methods.

• 5 x giant monolith support structures (3.3m – 4.7m)
• 2 x monolith cubby spaces (2.5m & 3m high)
• Winding ‘figure eight’ Junior Play structure
• 3m cargo tube net climb
• 2.5m viewing deck/bridge
• 5m pedestrian bridge
• Twin stainless steel ‘racer’ slides
• Access ramp
• Retaining wall
• Wonky root flying fox and swing-set
• Pommels, firepole and rock climb
• Musical elements including xylophone, talk tubes and bongo drums

• Structural steel
• Wire mesh
• Glass-fibre reinforced concrete (GRC)
• Rubber soft fall
• Shade sails
• Sandstone blocks
• Modwood decking
• Aluminum balustrades
• Two coat polyurethane paint system

Safety was absolutely paramount in the design of the play structures, and also in the way they were created and installed on site. Particular energy was dedicated towards identifying materiality and play flows that could work safely within the site’s steep topography. Independent play certifiers were engaged throughout the design and delivery process to remove potential entrapment and fall risks.

Detailed lift and transport studies were also completed prior to installation on site, ensuring the monolith frames were delivered, shaped and installed without incident. This was another key advantage of specifying GRC on the project, as it significantly reduced the weight of the main structures – making them far easier and safer to lift and manoeuvre.

The use of lightweight GRC allowed the design team to eliminate the need for concrete in the main structures, without compromising on aesthetics or structural integrity. Hot dip galvanising was also used to protect the critical steel elements from corrosion and deliver an impressive 50-year design life.