Root And Erect’s new King’s Cross play area features sustainable construction, materials and lighting innovation

The newly opened woodland playscape in the heart of King’s Cross is the final piece of new public realm in the 67-acre neighbourhood. Conceived with four- to 12-year-olds in mind, but designed to engage all ages, the square has been turned into a playscape and mini outdoor gym. It is Root And Erect’s second project on the King’s Cross site alongside the nearby Camley Street Natural Park, for which the practice established a visitor centre in 2020.

Earthy palette

Characterised by pine trees, planted beds, cork surfacing and an earthy palette, Chilton Square is a sheltered woodland enclosure housing the tubular steel play structure, which is bronze in tone to harmonise with the colours of the surrounding buildings. The structure provides a framework for climbing rungs, scrambling nets, swings, ropes, balance bars and other play features.

Sustainable construction and materials

From the outset, the aim was to create a zero-embodied-carbon playground. So rather than using conventional concrete foundations, the practice worked closely with structural engineers Allt Environmental to develop play equipment that could be stabilised using compacted earth, a more labour-intensive but much less carbon-intensive solution.

The central structure is formed from reclaimed steel and the safety surface of the playground is Corkeen, made from a by-product of the cork industry bound with polyurethane. Hypoallergenic and free from harmful chemicals, Corkeen is claimed to be both more sustainable and healthier than the rubber surfacing typically seen in playgrounds.

Let there be light

Lighting is one of Chilton Square’s most distinguishing features. In line with the guidelines in Making London Child-Friendly – a report co-authored by Root And Erect for the GLA’s Good Growth Programme – the space is lit after hours to extend outdoor playtime, particularly in the winter, and to activate the space for public use after daylight hours.

As well as providing practical illumination and zonally linking the children’s play area and mini outdoor gym, lighting designers Speirs Major have installed multi-headed spots of different colours across the park. Activated by movement and changing in response to motion, the colour-mixing light patterns stimulate dynamic shadow play and encourage interaction.

A woodland playscape

The play space was commissioned by the King’s Cross Group, owners of the King’s Cross estate, to transform what was a compound during the development of the surrounding residential blocks.

Co-design with local kids

To ensure Chilton Square met the specific needs of its intended audience, Root And Erect consulted with pupils from King’s Cross Academy and the Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children. A creative workshop saw the children experimenting with different spatial configurations by playing with double-helix structures and giving feedback on the proposed play concepts. Their responses were used to refine and develop the play offer – including the incorporation of quieter, more sensory zones, willow dens and roleplay opportunities. The children were then invited to spend time on site during construction to see their ideas come to life.

Selected species

Tree species were selected to suit the shady conditions of the site, create new wildlife habitats and provide seasonal interest and character. Cherry trees flower in the spring; birches provide shade and a habitat for 300 insect species in summer; the katsura, or toffee apple tree fills the autumn air with the scent of spun sugar; while the needles of the black pine bring its festive fragrance to the winter months.