Silk Wood Playscape at Westonbirt Arboretum by Pearce+, Invisible Studio and Lean Structures

In Gloucestershire, the Silk Wood Playscape has been completed by Pearce+, Invisible Studio, and Lean Structures, utilizing oak sourced from the nearby forest to craft informal play structures. Nestled within the historic Silk Wood of Westonbirt Arboretum, this playscape is situated in a hollow that was previously a stone quarry. The design features logs arranged thoughtfully alongside structures made from green oak. Highlights include log bridges, climbing areas, a hollow-trunk slide, and curved walls for hide-and-seek, constructed from vertical timber fins with bark-covered edges. A cone-shaped lookout tower, supported by three tree trunk legs and a base of stacked timber offcuts, offers nesting spots for wildlife. Owen Pearce, founder of Pearce+, highlighted the aim of fostering an open-ended play environment that promotes climbing, balancing, and imaginative games, in contrast to traditional play equipment. Photography by Joseph Horton captures the project.