CASE STUDY
Longwater Avenue, Reading
Surrey is home to 287,600 children and young people and this number is expected to increase by 14% in the next few years. With this in mind the value of outdoor play is becoming more vital, helping kids focus in school and making for happier and healthier minds. This space, designed to complement Martin Grant Home’s Coombland Garden development, is the perfect place where kids can play and be with others, helps bring them to the outdoors and gives them somewhere safe to have fun near their homes.
Location
Addlestone
Client
Martin Grant Homes
Sector
services
Play area construction, natural play feature installation, timber structure installation, soft landscaping implementation, woodland-style ground treatment
Designing a Natural and Playful Space
Archway Green were appointed to create a simple and well-integrated play area within the development by Martin Grant Homes in Addlestone. Set between a series of four large oak trees, the aim was to design a space that felt natural and in keeping with its surroundings, avoiding the look of a traditional playground while still offering a place for children to play and explore.
The design focused on a minimal and unobtrusive approach. The play equipment was carefully positioned within the existing trees, allowing the landscape to remain the main feature. Impact-absorbing play-grade bark chippings were used across the surface to improve safety while maintaining a soft, natural appearance that blends into the setting.
A Subtle Space for Everyday Use
Each element was selected to support both function and appearance, ensuring the space works for children while remaining visually calm for the wider neighbourhood. The result is a play area that feels understated and thoughtful, offering something different from more traditional designs.
This space provides somewhere for children to explore their creativity, interact with others, and develop social skills in a relaxed environment. By keeping the design simple and well connected to its surroundings, the area supports everyday use while contributing positively to the overall character of the development.
