Custom built indoor gumtree brings nature to inner city long day care centre 

Natureworks was recently commissioned to create an artificial gum tree for an indoor play space at Goodstart Early Learning in Adelaide Street, Brisbane. 

The life-sized blue gum tree replica forms the focal point of an innovative nature play area inside the service, striving to create an outdoor space inside the building.

Goodstart Early Learning and the project designers were keen to provide children with a multi-sensory environment that would encourage them to explore natural elements, a Natureworks spokesperson explained. 

To achieve this aim, the final play space blends natural plantings, timber and stone with replicas of nature such as the large artificial gum tree, faux rocks and mounds of artificial turf.

“The central indoor play space incorporates natural planting, timber, stone and artificial turf to provide a space symbolic of the outdoors. It offers a multitude of activity areas in a ‘sub-tropical rainforest’ setting,” the spokesperson added. 

For this project, Natureworks was commissioned by construction company ATG Group, who worked with architecture and interior design firm Gray Puksand and landscape designers Greenedge Design to bring this challenging project together.

Natureworks’ role was to design and create the artificial gum tree that included a hollow base for children to play in. To provide additional stimulation for young minds, they also supplied sculptures of Australian birds and animals that could be hidden around the tree – ready to be discovered.

The tree was made with a fibreglass outer layer applied over a steel frame and mesh substructure covered with foam. Natureworks artisans sculpted the base and trunk in great detail, emulating natural gum tree features.

The artificial trunk was combined with real hardwood branches (attached via an inner PVC pipe and blended with fibreglass and paint) to create a highly naturalistic result.

Once the structure was complete, artists applied a realistic paint finish to reflect the colours of natural blue gum bark, followed by a final protective coat. Natureworks then affixed artificial eucalyptus leaves to complete the effect, and added small animal sculptures. 

The project was shortlisted for the public design category of the 2018 Australian Interior Design Awards. 

To learn more about Natureworks and their range designed for landscaping children’s play areas contact Natureworks.

For images of the tree, please view the source material for this piece.