Project 0716: Margaret Heyward Playground Building, San Francisco, California

Scope and content:

Project scope included design, construction drawings and supervision for a free standing building for small children. Building part of a large park with many different facilities.

Extended Description: The Children's recreational Center at the Margaret Hayward Playground Park was designed and executed in 1982. Located in a modest-income neighborhood in San Francisco, California, the layer facade -- reminiscent of the segmented shell of an armadillo -- unfolds from the corner of the constrained site toward the outdoor play equipment.

Willis designed the layers to act as theatrical backdrops, in an effort to encourage the children's imaginary performances and to allow for scalar shifts that accommodate both child and adult. A series of wide steps linking the playground and building entry create an impromptu thrust stage and child-sized seating area.

Approximately 1,200 square feet of internal area accommodates the main recreational playroom, administrative offices and various support services.

Access and use