I began creating this training facility after watching the documentary 'Jump Britain' and attempting the art myself. At the time there were no local training facilities for the art other than the street itself.
With this came a variety of hazards such as the weather, creating slippery and weathered surfaces. Also at the time children's play parks and commercial estates were the best areas for training and the existing users were less than happy about it. Parents who were un-willingly sharing their parks with traceurs were concerned their kids would imitate at their risk and we were constantly chased out of commercial estates by security guards.
I designed this centre as a place for everyone interested to learn from both professionals and each other in a safe and tailord environment. I used my experience of teaching martial arts for several years to design an area built up in stages that would aid the tuition and development of the users. My history in design and construction helped me allocate new and innovative materials to the site which in themselves can create a sense of security allowing the traceur to go further than they had thought or a heightened sense of risk/fear to help them overcome their fears whilst at the same time all inside a safe and supervised environment.
This selection of imagery and annotation is only a sneak peak of the unique areas and features within the design and has since been thoroughly extended and developed. I am currently working with Parkour Generations in the UK to build such a centre.
A beginner’s area designed specifically to make the user feel safer, encouraging confidence in their movements. The area is made up of varied heights and platforms from concrete slabs to sprung flooring, thin beams and rails. Hidden storage holds an abundance of gymnastic and parkour training equipment such as precision blocks, scaffolding set-ups, floor rails and mats.
Unique landscaping and lighting have been created and carefully placed to give traceurs the feeling of training outdoors at night whilst in a safe indoor environment.
With a huge variety of heights, distances and materials the traceurs can gain a wealth of experience from one supervised location.
A huge range of rails, lips and edges encourage the traceurs to widen their experience and develop their precision.
Local street art is encouraged and supported here with varied competitions and events regularly held.
Structures and obstacles prevent traceurs from reaching more challenging areas and environments within the centre until they are developed and confident enough.
