Pollen
Pollen

Fortlandia

Type
Institutional
Location
Austin, TX
Year
2020
Builder
Michael Maximo (CNC Fabrication),
Pollen Architecture & Design
Recognition
2020-21 Fortlandia People’s Choice Award
Austin Chronicle

This playstructure was designed and built as part of Fortlandia at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center.  A•Frame is inspired by childhood memories of popsicle-stick cabins and building fort-like structures out of grown-up furniture–crawled under, covered in sheets or turned in unusual orientations. The A•Frame has bench for parents to rest under a tree and a variety of spaces for kids–a climbing wall, multiple levels of tunnels, a lookout and a stage. The structure was made of repetitive elements with varying shapes and sizes, bolted together to form a changeable truss structure.  The pieces were CNC-cut out of waterproof wood composite panels and bolted together onsite. One side is painted blue; the other is yellow, so it changes color as you move around it.  The overall effect of the structure complements the majestic live oak tree, curving around it, echoing the texture of the bark and filtering autumn light like the leaves of the tree.

Projects

Fortlandia

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