Camp Winston Sensory Yurt Furnishings | Final Imagery

Over the weekend, we successfully completed the installation of our custom sensory yurt furnishings at Camp Winston. It’s been a rewarding hands-on learning experience for the team and an even better bonding experience along the way. We can’t wait to see how the children engage with and enjoy the space this summer.

   

Camp Winston Sensory Yurt Furnishings | On-Site Construction Process

Here are a few photos from our on-site construction process for the Camp Winston sensory yurt furnishings. We arrived Saturday morning and worked throughout the day, gluing, sanding, and securing the modular pieces together inside the space as everything came to life!

Camp Winston Sensory Yurt Furnishings | Fabrication and Testing

With the design finalized, the team has officially begun fabrication. One of the biggest challenges has been determining in the right amount of kerfing to balance structural stability with the desired curve radius and material thickness. After thorough testing, we’ve determined the proper CNC intervals and cut depths to achieve a smooth curve while keeping the piece strong. To ensure smooth, timely installation up north, we completed as much fabrication in-house as possible before heading to site.

We sprayed the kerfed pieces with water and used an iron to increase the flexibility of the wood while minimizing breakage.

Camp Winston Playground Project - Final Documentation

After receiving the panels, the students used the CNC machine to cut out the design onto the material.

Students returned to Camp Winston to add the final pieces to the play structure. Overall, the design offers a very diverse range of play and encourages individual exploration with its various climbing structures and cooperative play with its interactive walls and gathering towers. The students achieved success in their focus on how the aspect of play and activity can surpass traditional playground limitations by enabling children to create their own adventures and exercise freedom in determining their interaction with the structure.

Camp Winston Playground Project - Construction Week 2

 The team of students returned the following weekend to spend three days finalizing the wood construction of the playground. 

Camp Winston Playground Project - Construction Week 1

A group of undergraduate students across years dedicated three days at Camp Winston to work alongside camp staff. Over the first weekend, the students divided into smaller groups and took turns measuring, cutting, and framing the different sections of the playground. This collaborative effort allowed them to lay the foundation for the construction work effectively.

Camp Winston Playground Project - Design Modifications

The students welcomed the chance for improvement after the initial presentation of the schematics to the Camp Winston members. Through a collaborative effort, they implemented design modifications that not only addressed the panel's suggestions but also elevated the overall quality and functionality of the project. The playground brings hierarchy and progression through the sequential introduction of  towers that helps the children in directing the interactions and connections. 

Camp Winston Playground Project - Schematic Proposal

Students from Toronto Metropolitan University were tasked by Camp Winston, a specialized camp catering to children with complex neurobiological abilities, to design a new playground to replace the camp's outdated play structure.
Working in smaller groups, the students started the initial design phase with the aim of presenting compelling proposals to the camp staff. Providing the support for a child's evolution in a fundamental stage of their human development was taken into consideration while designing, and a space that is both a comfortable meeting spot fostering social skills, and an organized interactable environment to help develop essential motor skills.