Project: (4550) Clapham Common
Client: London Borough of Lambeth Council
Stakeholder Community: Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee (CCMAC)
Above: Clapham Common Water Play Images: Lavender Hill
Main Contractor: Ustigate Waterplay
Aquatic Play Design: Ustigate Waterplay / Vortex International
Description: Design and build of Changing Places, w/c’s, Bicycle Park, Plant Room and Splashpad
Water Management: PWTAG compliant (Two Tank) Recirculation System
Installation: 2023
Challenge:
Clapham Common is one of London’s largest, and oldest, public open spaces, situated between Clapham, Battersea and Balham; with history that dates back to 1086. As a result of increasing threats from encroaching roads and housing developments, Clapham Common was acquired in 1877 by the Metropolitan Board of Works and designated a ‘Metropolitan Common’, which gives it protection from loss to development and preserves its open character.
The paddling pool at Clapham Common ended its life term in 2020, having been popular since its build in 1936. With plans to upgrade Clapham Common’s facilities, Lambeth Council and Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee (CCMAC) embarked upon public consultation to identify what parents, guardians, carers, teachers and children would most like to see as part of the upgrade. 614 people responded to the survey and an overwhelming 95% approved of replacing the paddling pool with a new, free to use, zero depth splash pad with a multitude of water play activities, making it 100% safe, inclusive and accessible.
All 800 comments at public consultation were taken into account and an invitation to tender for the design and build of the new Clapham Common Waterplay was released in August 2022 with a response deadline of no later than 14th September 2022. The design needed to be sensitive to its environment and subject to planning consent because the paddling pool is situated in an historic area of Clapham and in close vicinity to the Grade II-listed Holy Trinity Church. The London Borough of Lambeth Council needed to appoint a company that could be trusted to deliver the full scope of works according to the planning permission specification and to the highest standards in terms of water play design, build and health and safety. Accreditations, past experience and evidence of performing and delivering contracts in busy open spaces to a certain high quality calibre was essential to assure the London Borough of Lambeth Council and Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee (CCMAC) that Clapham Common’s design and build programme, historical interest and prestige common land status would be respected, appreciated, unaltered and met.
Success:
Ustigate Waterplay were delighted to be awarded the contract to design and build the new Clapham Common Waterplay in December 2022 and it was a privilege to work on Clapham Common and to enhance Clapham Common’s facilities with all of the teams involved. Ustigate joyfully worked with the London Borough of Lambeth Council and Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee (CCMAC) to finalise the planning approved design between January and February 2023. An accessible changing places facility as well as w/c’s were amongst the five listed priorities at consultation and our design and build program included two timber cladded containers, accommodating the new plant room, changing places and three w/c’s. Work began on site in March 2023 and the project was delivered on time and on budget. Clapham Common was retained as a beautiful open space for all to enjoy safely throughout the construction phase. Ustigate operated the full scope of works inside an agreed compound with 2 metre high security fencing and health and safety signage around the perimeter. A route from the road to the building site was also approved for authorised vehicles and deliveries and Ustigate Waterplay installed track matting to protect the common land. Both tanks for the PWTAG compliant recirculation system were installed below ground. Clapham Common’s new water play facility is more sustainable than the former paddling pool because one body of water is treated and recycled for all of the features and the splash pad uses less water. The changing places, w/c’s, bicycle park, plant room and splash pad opened on 24th July 2023.
The former paddling pool is now an inclusive 601m² splashpad that offers an aquatic play favourite for all ages and abilities. The 41 water play items are provided in a flat, zero depth environment, making it DDA compliant and accessible. The colour scheme is mainly formed from a pastel palette to compliment Clapham Common’s leafy setting. Products are seen in peach, blue, purple and shades of green. The wet pour surfacing features different sized circles in red and green; surrounded by blue.
Clapham Common’s water play facility is one of the newest splash pad’s in the UK; featuring the full range from Vortex International’s 2021 award winning Astra collection. Astra N°1 and N°3 provide a halo of water which rains down from above; offering children the opportunity to either run through or step in and be surrounded by water. Astra N°3 also invites children to rotate Astra’s water streams via its Twirltec™ ball; resulting in the creation of beautiful, spiral patterns. To complete the set, Astra N°2 engages social interaction and thrilling group play with its trio of fill and spill tipping buckets. As well as a trio of award winning Astra’s, Clapham Common has a trio of Helio’s from award winning Explora; a Vortex collection developed to engage children to move, push, pull, spin and splash! Helio N°1, N°2 and N°3 are seen with green Mega Orbs. All three offer the activity of spinning and splashing, one fires a water spurt northwards, the second sends four pretty, spiralling sprays in all directions and the third creates a bell-shaped laminar water effect that neatly makes its way to the ground. Astra and Helio guarantee hours of fun and the best part is they do not stand alone; they stand amongst bounce and splash with Hop, self-spinning Spiroo, Luna N°1, Team Spray and many more play items and ground sprays offering a feast of water play fun!
On 07.12.2023 Ustigate Waterplay were delighted Clapham Common Water Play received the 2023 Water Leisure Venue of the Year award at the UK Pool & Spa Awards.
More about Clapham Common
Clapham Common’s 85 hectares provides ample space for rest, relaxation, tennis, basketball, netball and touch rugby. It is home to many mature trees, three ponds that are used for a mixture of fishing, model boating and wildlife conservation, two woodlands, species-rich meadows and grasslands. It also contains a Victorian bandstand, three cafes, toilets, two playgrounds, a skatepark and the Bandstand Beds Community Garden. Clapham Common has been accredited with a green flag award since 2018 and several events are staged for residents and visitors every year.
Click here to view Clapham Common News, Views and Events
Click here to view Vortex International’s Astra Collection Wins Most Valuable Product Award
Click here to view two IDA Awards for Vortex International’s Explora Collection
