Project details
An award-winning project to create an all-abilities play space within Arcadia Estate located in Officer in Melbourne’s south-east. The park spans nearly one hectare and features a giant stainless-steel dragon as its centerpiece.
The project scope was wide-ranging from the giant central dragon to sensory play and public wi-fi. There is a climbing net leading into the mouth of the dragon to a large side, and smaller slides that stem from its body. The playground also features a variety of climbing structures, swings and a motion carousel UDL Group was engaged as contractor to provide site coordination and support Agency of Sculpture to construct and install the dragon feature. We were also responsible for the construction, installation and management of all other elements within the park including:
- Bulk earthworks
- Drainage
- Concreting
- Electrical, plumbing and communications (wi-fi) services
- Multiple shelters
- BBQ
- Drinking fountain
- Soft fall rubber
- Half basketball court painted with a dragon claw
- Sandblasting concrete stencil underneath primary shelter
Highlights
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UDL Group was thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver such a unique project in collaboration with creative landscape designers – the results:
- AILA Victoria Landscape Architecture Award Winner 2022
- Successful integration of sculptural elements with functional play spaces to create an iconic environment that is being embraced by the local community
- Delivering in tandem with Agency of Sculpture to create the stainless-steel dragon and Romanis & Trinholm Collaborations to create timber and rock carvings. This included a seven-tonne rock with a coloured carving of a dragon eye and native Australian wildlife carved into reclaimed timber from wooden piers.
- Meticulous planning and rigorous systems and processes allowed us to develop an agile program to offset delays.
- Successful coordination of diverse subcontractors to ensure the project was delivered to meet key milestones and within budget.
Challenges
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The project faced significant challenges due to peak COVID-19 restrictions, which hindered workforce movement and delayed the timeline. Representatives from OutLines Landscaping Architecture and Cardinia Shire Council could not visit the site regularly, slowing communication and approvals. Additional challenges included:
- Increased lead times for goods and services.
- Maintenance issues necessitating the replacement of a garden bed with a rubber surface, further delaying the program.
- Collaborating with sculptors from regional Victoria to construct bespoke playground equipment while adhering to design intent and differing lockdown rules.
