Allen Pyke have designed and detailed a new play area as part of a major extension programme at Rokeby School – a preparatory school for boys in Kingston-upon-Thames. Allen Pyke saw the project through from initial concept sketches to planning drawings and construction details, and oversaw the installation.

The play area consists of two areas; a pre-prep play area which has a bright multi-coloured play surface, and the main play area which combined natural play elements, such as boulders, with a climbing wall, an outside classroom and other play elements designed to stimulate adventurous play. The play area includes bespoke timber structures, such as the timber tree deck, with off-the-shelf play elements, and areas of robust native planting. The design was informed by the site constraints, such as the existing trees, the location within a conservation area, and the proximity of residential neighbours.