Ponsy Kids Preschool

Completed 2016
Project Team: Natasha Markham, Andrew Mitchener
Photography: Sam Hartnett

Ponsy Kids is a community childcare centre operating out of the basement of the historic Ponsonby Community Centre and backing on to popular Tole Park. The existing outdoor play area was cramped and divided, operating over different levels and shoehorned around building.

To enlarge and transform this space we created a large astrograss covered deck, at the lower level of the site and designed transition elements  - wide bleacher style stairs and a “rolling” slope to connect the levels, minimising the need for safety barriers and integrating the site as a whole.

A “window wall” provides framed views of the park at child’s height and gives the lower space its own character. A mural depicting landmarks from the neighbourhood was a feature of the design from the outset and we worked closely with artist Greg Straight to realise this part of the concept.