reclaimed materials sculpt textured children’s play structures in india public park

HSC Designs Rebuilds Public Park in Ahmedabad

Circle of Life Park, also known as Chakrajeevan Udyaan in Ahmedabad, India, is a public landscape project by HSC Designs developed through site-specific analysis of climate, movement patterns, and user behavior. Early observations revealed that women, children, and senior citizens were underrepresented users of the park, primarily due to concerns around safety and accessibility. The design responds by prioritizing clarity of movement, visibility, and inclusive access as core spatial principles.

A continuous, gently winding pathway forms the primary organizational spine of the park. This loop connects a series of clearly defined activity zones while maintaining visual continuity across the site. Children’s play areas and senior citizen zones are positioned in close proximity, supported by frequent seating pockets that accommodate caregivers and other users. Open sightlines across central spaces allow for constant visual connection between family members, reducing reliance on signage or surveillance. The layout avoids blind corners and concealed areas, with soft edges and explicit transitions supporting intuitive navigation and informal oversight.

all images courtesy of HSC Designs

Designing Sustainability Through Reuse and Repair

Sustainability is embedded in the project through extensive material reuse and regeneration. More than 30,000 sqft of materials, including concrete, fired tiles, mild steel rods, bricks, tires, and timber, were reclaimed and repurposed within the park. This approach reduced the need for new material extraction and resulted in an estimated avoidance of approximately 36 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Reused concrete elements are integrated as play structures and spatial thresholds, while salvaged steel rods form trellises and lightweight frameworks. Reclaimed tiles are reassembled into durable walking surfaces, and repurposed tires and wood are used for seating and informal gathering elements.

HSC Designs Studio’s material selection emphasizes durability, repairability, and local construction logic. Concrete surfaces reveal casting textures, steel develops a controlled patina, and timber elements are detailed to accommodate wear over time. Assemblies are modular and accessible, allowing components to be repaired or replaced in place. Seating heights, handholds, and circulation widths are calibrated to support children, elderly users, wheelchairs, and strollers. Shaded seating areas are positioned through solar analysis to improve thermal comfort, while non-slip surfaces ensure safe movement throughout the park.

Circle of Life Park in Ahmedabad is a public landscape project by HSC Designs

Planting, Visibility, and Flexible Public Use

Landscape and planting are used to soften boundaries without obstructing visibility, reinforcing safety through openness rather than enclosure. The spatial configuration supports varied daily use, from walking and informal play to resting and social gathering. Vendors and community activities are accommodated through flexible clearings and circulation zones without requiring temporary modifications.

Circle of Life Park is conceived as a resilient civic landscape where spatial organization, material reuse, and long-term maintenance strategies operate together. By aligning safety, accessibility, and environmental responsibility, the project demonstrates how public parks can support social well-being while extending the life cycle of locally available materials.

the park is shaped through analysis of climate, movement, and user behavior

reused concrete elements function as play structures and thresholds

children’s play areas and senior zones are positioned in close proximity

salvaged steel rods form trellises and lightweight frameworks

reclaimed tiles create durable and textured walking surfaces

over 30,000 sqft of materials were reclaimed and repurposed

dimensions and circulation support children, seniors, and mobility access

repurposed colorful tiles decorate the children’s play structures

planting softens edges while preserving visibility across spaces

project info:

name: Circle of Life park – Chakrajeevan Udyaan
designer: HSC Designs | @hsc_designs
location: Ahmedabad, India

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom