exploring the structure of play
for maximised play value.
rationale
play
exploring how play is structured for enhanced value, usability and reward.
about our play rationale
How play is perceived and sensed by a user is determined by the structure that makes up a play area or element.
Our play rationale and subsequent design-led approach explores this structure, specific to your space or element, with the ultimate goal of understanding what makes up the play experience on a holistic level.
We set key criteria and benchmarks to design to, ensuring that we ideate and develop with purpose, targeting the multiple play layers that make up a well structured, useable and rewarding environment.
Experience has shown us that a design born from rationalised intent engages users at a much higher level, which in turn increases the depth of play available and the overall value to individuals and project stake holders.
Who is it for?
Our play rationale is for those who want to offer play value at a higher level of engagement and experience to their customers and patrons. Rationalising the design of play in greater detail is a crucial step for any space or element that’s put in place as a key amenity, attraction or feature of an area. Everybody deserves to experience play at it’s best and our approach is the first step in delivering on this.
Custom design of play elements
Master plans and strategies for play
Benefits of an archiplay approach?
Looking at play holistically offers benefits for those who choose to play as well as project stake holders.
- Enhanced levels of user engagement and experience
- Play spaces structured around usability specific to your users
- Play that offers challenge and safety specific to your users
- Increased dwell time at play areas and surrounding ammenities
- Consideration of non-play users (parents, carers, bystander)
- Integration of play space/element into surrounding environment
- Positive play experiences equal return visits from users
- Play is designed and built with purpose and intent
key criteria and benchmarks for our play rationale
play layers
How is play formulated relative to a space or element. We look at intended shape/purpose, visual and tactile requirements, inclusion of story/path/game and the level of development/challenge required.
play space users
Who will use the space and how will they go about using it? What are the different levels of challenge and development that we need to cater to in order to foster growth and positive experiences?
other users
Who else will use the space and why will they use it? Where and how can we add value for carers, people passing by or occasional users of the space. How do we minimise the impact of the area on non-users?
usability & pathways
What play style is required? Is it an active space centred around a feature element or an open area with multiple play paths fostering exploratory and imaginative play. How is usability controlled through interacting paths and elements?
site specific requirements
What is the surrounding environment, how does it impact the play space and what is required to create positive use and impact on surrounding areas and structures?
safety considerations
How can we create a play area that provides the right levels of challenge and development whilst still promoting safe and enjoyable play for users and carers.
visual expectations
Is the play space/element a feature piece designed to stand out in the area or an integrated solution that seamlessly co-exists with the surrounding environment?
ROI & benchmarks
What is the reason for the play space/element? How do we ensure that users engage in positive experiences that provide return on investment for project stake holders?
key criteria and benchmarks for our play rationale
play layers
How is play formulated relative to a space or element. We look at intended shape/purpose, visual and tactile requirements, inclusion of story/path/game and the level of development/challenge required.
play space users
Who will use the space and how will they go about using it? What are the different levels of challenge and development that we need to cater to in order to foster growth and positive experiences?
other users
Who else will use the space and why will they use it? Where and how can we add value for carers, people passing by or occasional users of the space. How do we minimise the impact of the area on non-users?
usability & pathways
What play style is required? Is it an active space centred around a feature element or an open area with multiple play paths fostering exploratory and imaginative play. How is usability controlled through interacting paths and elements?
site specific requirements
What is the surrounding environment, how does it impact the play space and what is required to create positive use and impact on surrounding areas and structures?
safety considerations
How can we create a play area that provides the right levels of challenge and development whilst still promoting safe and enjoyable play for users and carers.
visual expectations
Is the play space/element a feature piece designed to stand out in the area or an integrated solution that seamlessly co-exists with the surrounding environment?
ROI & benchmarks
What is the reason for the play space/element? How do we ensure that users engage in positive experiences that provide return on investment for project stake holders?
play rationale only
Our play rationale only approach provides a master plan for your play space(s), setting important guidelines and criteria before any design work or tendering is undertaken.
Initially we work with you through a series of workshops where we discuss play in general, your space and how play can be structure in purposeful and effective ways.
From here we collate the information discussed and in return develop a ‘play architecture’ strategy document specific to your play space(s).
Moving forward these guidelines will become a crucial piece of information that ensures your play space works on a fundamental level and caters to the right users, creating optimum levels of play value and reward.
play rationale + design response
Using the strategy and key criteria created during our initial play rationale stages, we are able to provide further development by rationalising the information into a visual response.
This response can be used as a starting point or guideline for tendering purposes or formulate the basis of our custom design response.
Typically a play architecture visual response will include suggested solutions to the play areas key criteria including the layers that make up play, the targeted users, usability/pathways/layout, visual expectations and materials and finishes.
The level of detail in this response is specific to each project and can be customised to suit the projects subsequent development stages. Visual responses could be as simple as basic floor plans/swatches or as detailed as 3d sketches/visuals.
play rationale only
Our play rationale only approach provides a master plan for your play space(s), setting important guidelines and criteria before any design work or tendering is undertaken.
Initially we work with you through a series of workshops where we discuss play in general, your space and how we can play can be structure in purposeful and effective ways.
From here we collate the information discussed and in return develop a ‘play architecture’ strategy document specific to your play space(s).
Moving forward these guidelines will become a crucial piece of information that ensures your play space works on a fundamental level and caters to the right users, creating optimum levels of play value and reward.
play rationale + design response
Using the strategy and key criteria created during our initial play rationale stages, we are able to provide further development by rationalising the information into a visual response.
This response can be used as a starting point or guideline for tender responses or formulate the basis of our custom design response.
Typically a play architecture visual response will include suggested solutions to the play areas key criteria including the layers that make up play, the types of users, usability/pathways/layout, visual expectations and materials and finishes.
The level of detail in this response is specific to each project and can be customised to suit the projects subsequent development stages. Visual responses could be as simple as basic floor plans/swatches or as detailed as 3d sketches/visuals.
Let’s chat about play.