Newt Pond Archipelago

The popularity of the Newt Pond in its current form is evident through the basic architectural interventions made by young people, using rocks, old tyres and pallets to bridge the water. These temporary structures are used predominantly to gain better access to the resident Newts. Although the constructions demonstrate creativity and ingenuity there is a danger that through the removal of newts this area will become unsustainable as a habitat.

The Newt Pond Archipelago will encourage play and exploration of the pond whilst also providing a safe haven under the structure for some of the Newts.

is design is an attempt to follow the form of the initial jetty designs, but increase the play value. Instead of one continual jetty the new design is based on a series of islands (or large stepping stones) that are constructed from the stone on site. This is a semi-permanent structure that will over time erode back into its original from, but can easily be re-built. By introducing a series of islands there is much more play value in the structure itself and the materials will seem more in harmony with the surroundings.

Because of the construction techniques and use of materials the site would not become dangerous when, through the passage of time or vandalism, the islands fall back into the pond. There would be no single structure, so the removal of a number of stones would have very little impact on the archipelago as a whole.