GROWING THROUGH PLAY

Bringing agrarian life into a new era of recognition through play.

Located in Vineyard in Sydney’s north-west, The Vineyard is a family-friendly hospitality destination that believes “every meal is a celebration of togetherness and good company.” Offering an extensive menu of locally sourced foods and a community ethos, The Vineyard has a bit of something for everyone — especially the littles.

Set on a large landscape, The Vineyard has a playscape that delights kids of all ages and abilities. Supplied and installed by Urbania Group, the playspace on the grounds of The Vineyard was designed by the talented team at Richter Spielgeräte, specialists in children’s play equipment, in collaboration with the landscape architect on the project, Studio Georgouras.

Working to a brief that called for the playspace to “transcend mere functionality and embed a deeper narrative of connection,” the design team pulled on Vineyard’s rich agrarian and viticultural heritage for inspiration. Weaving these elements into the design, the final result reflects a farmhouse vibe at its heart.

The central play structure is a bespoke cubby made of larch timber that anchorsthe farmhouse narrative. Surrounding elements, including barrel-inspired tables and chairs, a timber tractor and trailer play sculpture and a stainless-steel grain silostyle slide, reinforce the agricultural theme,
working together with the farmhouse to create an immersive and imaginative environment for children to engage with.

Sensory equipment suitable for very young children can be found inside the farmhouse structure, allowing little ones who may not be up to climbing to great heights a chance to get in on the fun. A net bridge provides older kids with physical balancing and climbing challenges, while the stainless steel bridge offers a sturdier crossing for smaller legs. A fireman’s pole is fun for everyone, and the full play kitchen inside the farmhouse tunnel is a quiet zone ideal for those that like less rambunctious play.

Suitable for all ages and abilities, the Vineyard playground design prioritised natural, sustainable timbers and aged viroc cladding in its construction — the hallmark of a quality Richter Spielgeräte playspace. The use of these materials, not only creates a connection to nature for the user, it also lends the space a sense of permanence, as though it has always belonged to the landscape in which it sits.

Grown in and harvested from PEFC-certified forests, the larch timber used is untreated and requires minimal maintenance, reinforcing the connection to nature while also helping it to stand above as a bespoke play experience that is meaningful, site specific and aesthetically enriching.

Already proving a hit with the local community, this regional-sized luxury playground has improved visitor attendance and retention at the venue, making it a sound investment from every angle.

PROJECT PARTICULARS
Client The Vineyard
Location Vineyard, New South Wales
Landscape Architect Studio georgouras
Collaboration Studio Brady
Playground equipment Richter Spielgerate
Supply & Install Urbania Group