THE KEW PLAYGROUND
 

The Kew Playground is a symbol of freedom and exploration that is designed for the community of Kew. It aims to override the institutional architecture of the former Kew asylum building with a new playful architectural language. The Kew Playground is a place of exploration, a blending of ground and building, a place accessible for all, with a specific focus on the connection of people.

 

The first design move sort to break the institutional typology by removing the fence that separated the site from the community. The surrounding roads are then projected into the site to connect the grounds with the community and vice-versa. Connection is an important theme in this project; to connect the community with this formerly disjointed site, and to connect people with each other through play. The intent is to preserve the architectural language of the asylum while introducing a new playful architectural language. The proposed building footprints take trace the form of the existing site contours, breaking away from the ridged ‘e’ shaped plan of the former asylum. The site becomes a playground for all ages to interact and connect.

Link to folio