Playscape is a term used to describe a natural play area. In other words it’s a playground that incorporates existing natural features seamlessly into its designs. Natural playscapes are vibrant and living spaces. They offer a higher play value to children, encouraging them to explore their imaginations and expand their boundaries through play.
Much of our work to date has been with schools, preschools and local authorities, creating spaces and features that encourage children to explore and learn in an outdoor environment.
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Primary, Secondary and Special schools in Ireland
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| Tree House - Nestled into a bank among mature lime trees, laurels and elderflower this Tree House is a unique one off piece. Featuring hundreds years old elm trunk that was felled in wales almost 15 years ago. The tree trunk was originally hollow, we just made it a big bigger so it can accommodate a ladder and a couple of kids at a time climbing up or down inside the trunk. The undulating shingle roof compliments the beautiful and unusual tree trunk. | |
| Carrigaline - Silvabuild built an outdoor classroom for the Carrigaline Educate Together N.S. The two entrance posts were carved by artist Tom Campbell with help from the Silvabuild crew. | |
| Tower - The tower was designed by the kids from the Sunday's Well boys school in cork city. We tried to fit in as many climbing features as we could. The Climbing Frame is built on a very difficult site. All work was done on site without any heavy machinery. We used Robinia poles, and locally sourced cedar for the cladding. The rope work was done by an Irish traditional net mender. | |
| Gaelscoil Ui Riada - This is a natural playscape fully completed just before Christmas 2015 in Bishopstown, Cork City. | |
| St. Olivers School - This project is in killarney. We dug a huge sand pit (10m diameter!). We removed the sods build mounds, placed the sods on top, put in a tunnel and filled it with 80 tonnes of washed sand. then we've build a timber castle (almost 5 meter high!) in a post and beam style. | |
| Sunday's Well School - Natural playground, sensory garden and wood fired pizza oven. Built by Silvabuild and designed by the kids in 2014 | |
| Deck - The deck was commissioned by the Chroí Íosa school in blarney under the neighbour wood scheme. The deck is big enough to accommodate a class of 30 kids and is being used as an outdoor educational and recreational space. The deck was built entirely from oak. Dead standing oak trees were identified in the surrounding forest. The trees were then felled and milled and carried back, by hand, through the forest. The steps that lead to the forest were built also from oak. | |
| Clonakilty - This is a little outdoor classroom for the Clonakilty Kindergarten. All the timber was sourced locally except for the roof shingles. The curved roof made a little bit of a challenge with the shingles! | |
| Adventure Frames - Balancing frames designed and built for the Crann support group in Co. Meath. Crann is working with different age groups therefor the balancing frames were designed for different age groups. | |
| Crooked House - A Montesssori Kindergarten, in cork city. We added some timber against the wall and to the metal fence to make it look a bit softer, and a crooked play house! all from local cypress. |
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Local Authorities in Ireland
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| Knockmitten, South Dublin Council - Redevelopment of a beautiful little park in Clondalkin, Co. Dublin. We designed and built this corner with its outdoor kitchen, log benches and picnic table. Thanks to the guys from the community centre! | |
| Portlaoise - A Playscape created in the People's Park in Portlaoise for Laois County Council. Designed and built by Silvabuild. Completed June 2015 | |
| York St. and Bishop St., Dublin - A playspace and social area for the children and parents in York St and Bishop St in Dublin South inner city. Silvabuilds unique timber work and landscaping brings a new dimension to both sites creating multiple opportunities for play and recreation. In working with Dublin City Council the spaces were redesigned imaginatively taking in some of the concerns of the residents. It is great to see that local children have now got access to an area where play is possible, fun and safe. | |
| Griffen Valley Park, Lucan, Co. Dublin - An ecological playspace set on an acre site for South Dublin County Council. Hundreds of native trees were selectively planted enhancing the original planting scheme and adding biodiversity. The site previously had poor drainage but with some creative landscaping now serves as a playspace for able and disabled children. |
To view our timber structures, click here