European Landscape Architecture: Best Practice in Detailing

(John Hannent) #1
Denmark

fine tolerances necessary to achieve narrow joints
required the contractor to use a crane.

The playground
Towards the canopy of the cherry avenue a 2.2m
wall has been built which frames the playground.
The face of the wall slopes by about 10 per cent.
Towards the harbour the playground is fenced using
H-profile steel columns in-filled either by concrete
elements or by wires creating a kind of espalier.
A narrow stair with five steps and high rails gives
access from the promenade. Admittance from the
harbour side is via small cast-iron gates.

Much of the playground has a grass surface but
there are also areas of gravel. The lawn at the
eastern side of the playground rises 800mm up the
wall, creating a slope which is orientated towards

the harbour and the sun. Benches have been placed
along the wall which give good views over the play
area to the harbour beyond.

The playground had its starting point in co-operation
with the local school. For one month the school ran
a project whereby students could put forward ideas
for the proposed playground. The pupils wanted to
create a jungle with a tunnel system where they
could crawl and hide. The landscape architect tried
to respond to this concept, but the complex system
of tunnels suggested by the children was judged
to be too dangerous by the authorities. The tun-
nel system therefore had to be simplified; it now
consists of three small hills, each with a small tube
running through it. Similarly, the children’s vision
of a jungle was reduced to the planting of Salix
purpurea‘Gracilis’ and three groups of Salix alba

1.26
Summary drawing showing the types and numbers
of special elements required. The detailed sections
show the carrying layer, membrane and joint.
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