Timber Creations

Flashback - Terrigal Public School

2017-02-26T16:44:00.001-08:00

In 2015, we created this playground for Terrigal Public School, using their own trees from the school grounds.

Unfortunately, there were several trees that needed to be cut down for safety reasons.

Rather than leaving their grounds bare and empty, they had Timber Creations convert the trees into this fun play area that captivates imagination and tells a story.

Based on the Dreamtime tale of "Tiddalik the Frog", several native animals show up through sculpture and carving - looking silly and playful enough to make anyone laugh!

May 2015 - What have we been up to?

2015-05-06T19:04:00.001-07:00

Storytelling Chair

2015-04-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

Just completed - Storytelling Chair for a kindergarten!

2015-03-31T19:41:00.002-07:00

Importing play equipment?

Why not support local industry, and get your play equipment locally made.

Many people are buying imported "natural play equipment", and having trouble installing it, as
natural timber can be hard to work with - and must be put together the way it was intended by the
original builders and designers!

Getting your equipment locally made means you are not only supporting local businesses, but that
there will always be someone available to help you make sure the equipment is just right for you,
and fits your space perfectly.

Apart from everything else, shipping timber overseas can be extremely expensive.

Also... Australian timber is the best!!

Process - Building a beautiful timber creature

2015-03-24T17:06:00.003-07:00

Why are our timber creatures so visually appealing?

What many people don't realise is that the team at Timber Creations spend a lot of time looking at timber.
... Well, that might seem obvious actually, but I mean before we even think about the building part!

The right piece for the right project can be hard to find. Amongst all the durable recycled timber we collect from discarded trees, each piece has a unique shape, pattern and texture.
The artists at Timber Creations consider these unique features of every piece, until the vision becomes clear.

This is what gives Timber Creations our unique aesthetic appeal - a huge amount of time and effort goes into simply selecting the right piece of timber, so that the final creation is a cohesive, stunningly original artwork.

Once the timber has been selected, the artists take note of all the distinctive elements and imperfections that make the timber perfect for the sculpture, and use them as features in the work, to create an organic, natural and visually appealing piece that appeals to our biological senses.

The result is an exquisitely unique creature, just brimming with its own character - looking like it was biologically grown from a child's imagination!

You won't get that from a manufacturing assembly line!

2015-02-24T14:11:00.004-08:00

Playground in progress in Newcastle

2015-02-15T18:45:00.000-08:00

Beautiful, sculptural storytelling throne delivered to Lightning Ridge.

2015-02-15T18:40:00.000-08:00

2015-02-15T18:19:00.000-08:00

Some recent products Timber Creations have been working on:

Wacky Wooden Water Man

Various Timber Creatures

2015-02-15T17:27:00.001-08:00

2015-02-15T17:25:00.002-08:00

Latest work

2015-01-02T18:55:00.000-08:00

2014-09-22T18:36:00.000-07:00

Who caught our wonderful elements from Lizard Log park on Gardening Australia this week!?

In the words of Costa Georgiadis:

"Check this lizard out!! It's fantastic!"

Some new structural pieces

2014-06-10T21:51:00.002-07:00

- Tower structure created for Moduplay - they will attach a rope bridge and slide to the play feature

- Tractor play element for Taronga Park Zoo

School fence and outdoor stairs

2014-06-10T21:42:00.005-07:00

Fence and timber steps for Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School

Schools need fences and steps, but these sure beat the traditional concrete!!

Beautiful, visually interesting elements that are in harmony with the trees around make a huge impact on the ambiance of a school environment.

These students won't feel like they're trapped in an uninspiring concrete block!!

The Infants' Home

2013-06-18T17:19:00.003-07:00

The Infant's Home have written a great article about what we do here at Timber Creations!

Creating a second life

- March 27, 2013

How to use the character and durability of Australian timber to spark young imaginations, and get children moving.

New products!

2013-02-27T19:19:00.004-08:00

Tractor play element for Taronga Park Zoo

Tower structure created for Moduplay - they will attach a rope bridge and slide to the play feature

Latest Work

2013-02-27T19:14:00.002-08:00

- Fence and timber steps for Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School

The playground, eating area and path look fantastic and add to the warm atmosphere of the school. The natural textures and shapes have a relaxing and fabulous aesthetic effect!

- Sheepdog and sheep for Taronga Zoo's "Backyard to Bush" have been completed and installed.

2012-12-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

Balgownie Public School

Area: Balgownie Public School grounds

Designer: Andrew Smith with Principal Aloma Stewart and P&C representative Alison Knight

Where: Balgownie, NSW

Client: Balgownie PS P&C

Installed: 2012

Elements: Secret play cafe shop, turtle climbing platform and playful creatures

Surfacing: Soft fall mulch, garden

Details

Balgownie is an inclusive, community orientated school with a motto of "living and learning". The timber elements designed for the school environment reflect this as they provide encouragement for hands on, physical and imaginative play as well as beautifying the school environment.

This project was funded by fundraising by the school P&C, in particular the recent school fete.

2012-12-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

Mannering Park Public School

Area:	Mannering Park Public School grounds
Where:	Mannering Park, NSW
Installed:	2012
Designer:	Andrew Smith
Elements:	Garden sign, Carved Pelican (school emblem), natural garden seat, stocky lizard and slender creature
Surfacing:	Soft fall mulch, garden

Details

Mannering Park Public School has developed a beautiful garden environment for the students. The timber elements are part of a bush tucker garden which was designed as a natural space for children to enjoy. The elements add to the aesthetics of the garden as well as an element of fun to the space.

The project was funded by a "Community Building Grant".

National Playspace Design Awards 2012!

2012-11-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

We are proud to report that two playspaces featuring work by Timber Creations have won national awards at the Kidsafe 2012 National Playspace Design Awards!

Congratulations to:

- Kookaburra Playground, Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside NSW
Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects

WINNER: 2012 National Playspace Design Award for Public Playspaces – Up to $500K

- Toxteth Kindergarten Natural Enchanted Forest

OUTHOUSE Design

WINNER: 2012 National Playspace Design Award for Innovative Design Elements

Artisans in the Gardens

2012-10-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Andrew is exhibiting three pieces in the Artisans in the Gardens exhibition of fine art and sculpture in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney from the 27th October to 4th November 2012

Looks like it's going to be a great exhibition!!

2011-12-01T17:12:00.000-08:00

Lisarow High School

Area:	Outdoor gymnasium / Outdoor fitness centre for students and staff strength and conditioning
Where:	Lisarow, NSW
Client:	Lisarow High School P&C
Installed:	2011
Designer:	Andrew Smith
Elements:	Balance Challenge, Climbing Challenge, Seating, Vaulting, Arm walk, Seat stretch, Chin ups, Sit ups, Step ups, Push offs, Hurdles, Monkey bars
Surfacing:	Soft fall mulch

Details

This outdoor gym was created by collecting discarded and rescued tree branches, which were then organically treated with timber preserve and constructed into this natural fitness centre.
The P&C funded this project as part of Healthy Active Australia Community grant.

Melbourne Children's Hospital

2011-11-12T17:29:00.000-08:00

The Gecko and turtle creatures for the Melbourne Children's Hospital have been installed and look wonderful in their new home! The children will love these natural surfaces and the outdoorsy feel of these cute creatures!

The new playground was opened by Queen Elizabeth II!

Nurragingy Reserve

2011-10-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

Some articles about the Nurragingy Reserve project currently in development. The park is designed to be a more natural children's play space with natural materials and play pieces that are interpretive, and spark imagination.

http://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/news-releases/blacktown-to-build-australias-imaginative-childrens-playground.cfm

http://blacktown-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/upgrade-for-nurragingy-playground/