Meet Kieran Barker, Tilt’s lead Industrial Designer for the Architectural Pod Playground at Eastern Creek Quarter.

His expertise and experience designing and managing bespoke playground designs across a range of sectors has enabled Kieran to contribute to and deliver award-winning projects.

Kieran articulates all facets of the brief with the desire to take on any challenge, keeping the client’s requirements at the forefront.

Take a read of Kieran’s involvement with Tilt’s Architectural Pod Playground for Eastern Creek Quarter and a little scope into his personal hobbies.

What was your specific role in the project? 

Eastern Creek Quarter was the second bespoke playground opportunity I led for Tilt from design study through to construction and certification working alongside Arcadia Landscape Architects.

The pod playground’s concept called for an organic form, specifying Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) as an integral manufacturing process, which we achieved by designing the structure around the use of CLT Accoya beams and battens as key design features.

In the early stages of our design study we demonstrated Tilt’s industrial design methodology to best suit key fabrication processes and functionality whilst meeting the clients budget and vision.

Approached as a challenge for some, coordinating around the clients overall works schedule was a seamless exercise. While the relationships built with bespoke manufacturers ensured the project was delivered in a timely fashion.

Designing a functional space whilst fulfilling the clients brief is rewarding for myself and an outcome which also contributes to the community.

What made you decide to specialise in Industrial Design for the Built Environment?

My interest in design spans the traditional fields of Design, Art, Photography and Architecture and as such I have never tried to confine myself to any particular specialisation.

I like the difficult tasks which can test my skills and I believe that my work as an Industrial Designer in the Built Environment takes cues from these traditional disciplines and provides me with an opportunity to develop objects which make no sacrifices in regards to form and function.

What do you like to do outside of Tilt?

I really love photography, a good amount of my time outside of work is spent pursuing this, with the idea that one day I could be both a successful Industrial Designer and Photographer.

However when I’m not running around, camera in hand, I enjoy working on my cooking skills and love trying new cuisines and recipes, whether it be at home or out.