Winner: North Central Region

Ready-mixed concrete provides the color, texture, utility, and sustainability to create a space for kids that offers gardening, chess, checkers, hopscotch, four square, and gaga ball, as well as space for table games, small group gatherings, and the ability to sit and watch activities. 

A space intended for active, and passive uses for multiple age groups and surrounded by structures on three sides, requires careful attention to engineering detail.

Lannon stone, broom-finish concrete creates the canvas to which additional colors and textures are applied to define the garden area, the corner niche space, chess, checkers, hopscotch, and four square.

Access to the site is from a major street on the open side of the courtyard. The site is located near a junior high school, parks department and police station.  As a result, planning around morning and afternoon traffic volumes was a challenge.

Ready-mixed concrete was used for 99% of the project and provided the variety, flexibility, beauty, and sustainability needed to create a space for kids that accommodates a range of activities and age groups.