Client: Bespoke Wire + Rope
Location: Drumcondra VIC
Our team worked closely with our client, Bespoke Wire + Rope to assist them with this unusual brief. The project presented a unique challenge for our engineering team: creating a safe and fun net play area, called the crow’s nest, for a client’s children, all within the constraints of an existing house design. The house framing, already completed by another engineer, meant we couldn’t propose new support structures. Instead, we had to design the net to utilise the existing steel beams, strengthening them where necessary while maintaining a clean aesthetic.
Adding another layer of complexity was the unfamiliar material chosen for the net – UHMWPE, a type of strong rope typically used in racing yachts. Since this was new territory for our team, research and calculations were crucial to accurately predict how the net would respond under different loads from playful children.
Further complicating matters, the net was supported by a single rope. Any force applied to one part of the net would affect the entire system. This required careful analysis, so the entire structure required modelling in 3D.
Safety was paramount, especially since the net was for children. We had to consider unusual loading patterns that might arise from their play, as well as potential injuries from climbing and falling. This meant designing rounded edges and concealing connections to minimise risk.
The final design addressed all these challenges. By working within the existing design constraints, researching a new material, and meticulously modelling the structure, we were able to create a safe and fun play area for the children while maintaining a clean and visually appealing look. This project highlights the importance of engineering ingenuity in adapting to existing designs, using innovative materials, and prioritising safety to create unique and functional spaces.
