Woodlea Stage 75 Reserve

With 5 main colours used throughout the full scope of the project, there was not a single part of the topcoat that could be completed in a same day pour as each element contained 2 or more touching colours. The total footprint of the park and the distance between wet pour surfaces made for some long walks between sites with the wheelbarrows. With small sections / colours scattered all over the precinct it added to the complexity in the execution. The design presented by the architects called for a cohesive flow from the soft to hard landscaping. The colours and the design of the soft fall surface was to seamless merge into the concrete paths which were to be etched with a continuation of the wing / leaf design. Due to this design the concrete etching and soft fall crews needed to be on point with their craftsmanship in order to execute the plans. If one was off even slightly it would ruin the whole design and become an eyesore.

Once the SBR impact attenuation layer was put down, extensive planning of the colours was laid out onto the surface as seen in the photographs. Whilst the blobs of colour and spray paint on the surface look slapped down in random fashion, they all needed to be carefully laid out to execute the design to perfection. This was a measure twice, cut once scenario, as one early mistake would throw the whole design off. Once the design was laid out, a further project plan was worked out to make efficient use of the crew’s time. Each touching colour would need to be laid on separate days to create the crisp lines and transition between colours. Some ‘blobs’ of colours were made of two-colour combinations, requiring two pour days to finish one aspect of the design. Lines dissected “blobs” and flowed from one colour “blob” to the next, a centimetre or two in the wrong direction and the finished result would not create a smooth crisp line. There could be no guess work or close enough is good enough or the design would be ruined. In the end the true craftsmanship of the crew shone through in executing this colourful design.

The most important aspect of this project – Adhesion. We made sure that every colour join was rebated & primed, to ensure maximum adhesion. As we know, rubber expands and contracts. Its important to note, that these rebates are key to longevity! Check out the design plans and the completed overhead project photos and how the design came to life.