The play area design references the architecture and adventures experienced by the Courtauld family during the 1920s and 1930’s, at Eltham Palace and on their world travels. The intention was to provide a play area that paid homage to the history and aesthetic of the architecture and gardens, whilst offering a unique and exciting play area.

Drawing from the previous owners’ rich lifestyle and travels and directly referencing objects and images found in the house, the playground encourages children to imagine travelling the world, interaction with different types of play, and understanding of the geography and cultures relating to Eltham Palace.

The scheme is set out like a board game, with the main ziggurat separating different areas.  The ziggurat was designed to offer adventurous play, climbing, sliding, and balancing. By having four structural walls in a cross form, we were able to use both sides for play features resulting in a very efficient use of space and material.

The playground also offers a pyramid climbing den, a Machu Pichu earthwork scramble net, a competitive ball game with Stockholm and Sienna towers, and a climbable airplane.

The play area was designed to encourage children’s imagination and not to be prescriptive, rather to encourage the children to invent their own games, allowing the equipment to have multiple uses. There is a tranquil atmosphere at Eltham and the play area was positioned and designed with a balance of physical and more mental, educational games, so as not to impact on the atmosphere of the site as a whole.

 In 2022 we returned to refresh the playground introducing an accessible yacht and a carved figure of ‘Mah-Jongg’ the family Lemur.