Description:

Nestled within the Summerhill Bike Trails in Papamoa, The Kākā is a unique play structure inspired by the native New Zealand kākā bird. This project was an opportunity to explore how architecture can deepen connections between people, place, and nature through thoughtful design and materiality.

The idea began with a simple question: How can a play space reflect and celebrate the natural environment around it? Using the native kākā bird, a cheeky forest inhabitant known for its strong beak and lively movement, the structure’s form was developed to echo these features, creating a biomorphic design that feels both organic and purposeful.

Instead of replicating the bird literally, the project interprets the kākā’s anatomy and motion to shape a play structure that invites intuitive interaction. The layered tail forms the entrance, the wings extend as a rhythmic enclosure, and the iconic beak rises to become a lookout platform, offering children a new way to engage with the forest from above.

Crafted primarily from redwood timber sourced directly from the site, the material itself reinforces the strong connection between the structure and its natural environment, ensuring sustainability while celebrating the local landscape’s character. Using straight timber elements arranged through a strategy inspired by hyperbolic paraboloids, the design achieves a fluid and organic form without complex fabrication. This approach allowed the project to remain within conventional construction methods while embodying a biomorphic spatial experience.

The Kākā’s elevated platform and netting offer children a terrain for climbing, exploration, and sensory engagement. The gentle sway of the net mimics natural movement, enhancing the connection to the surrounding forest atmosphere. This play space has become a valuable addition for the local community, particularly for children who visit weekly for school trips, providing a safe yet adventurous environment that encourages physical activity, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for nature.

Beyond its functional and experiential success, The Kākā also supports regenerative outcomes by integrating sustainably sourced materials and respecting the existing landscape. The design sits lightly within the forest, enhancing rather than overwhelming the site, and contributes to ongoing efforts to celebrate and protect native ecosystems.

For the client and the community, The Kākā represents more than just a play structure. It is a space of discovery, learning, and connection, a place where children can explore the natural world through play, fostering early environmental stewardship and a sense of belonging. The project demonstrates how thoughtful design can merge cultural, environmental, and social wellbeing into a crafted, innovative, and inspiring experience.