From a 1974 article in "Design" covering the installation of this adventure playground: "Telegraph poles, concrete and granite sets from dismantled Kings Cross roadways were the chief raw materials for this toughest of all adventure playgrounds. Physically it is well suited to the robust natures of the kids in the Bingfield St neighbourhood. As an idea, it is blessedly non-abstract, a solidly fantastic landmark in an area which is visually no fun whatsoever.The Crumbles Play Castle was organised and designed by architecture students Catherine Davis, Robert Hamment, Robert Parker and Jill Seyler, at the invitation of local residents. Some nine months in the making, it is due for completion by Christmas. The 150m2 interior, designed as a quarter-amphitheatre, has now been roofed over and grassing of roof and surrounding mound should begin this month. The telegraph poles will be slung with climbing ropes.The project has depended on a lot of scattered generosity: an eventual £15,000 from the Islington authority and about the same sum in private donations of capital gifts, cheap materials, money and labour. Lang, for instance, donated some £600-worth of labour."
Crumbles continues to employ full-time playworkers to facilitate free and adventurous play that includes construction projects and cooking over a fire.
No comments:
Post a Comment