Sensory Room Preliminary Mock Up

This is a basic cut out mock up, open for discussion.

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My intention is perhaps for children to be looking up to the stars in the foreground with nurses holding their hands. A yellow path meandering up the green hill leading to the top. May be with children being helped to climb onto the giant telescope. I would like to include more colourful images for children, themed specifically at COPD. e.g. A rocket with nurses & children on board with a name on its side. Perhaps a rocket being pulled by butterfly's. A nurse or butterfly image made out of stars towards the middle right, larger in scale than that represented currently by the Perseus stars image.

Note:- The images are currently cut outs & the perspective is not as it will be when its drawn up in detail. i.e. certain shapes/images can be made larger / smaller or replaced or relocated, subject to our discussions.

On the wall to the right side of the sensory area we could include a rocket perhaps used as a fun height measuring device for the children, together with Stars alongside to indicate heights or achievements.

The area by the shelf for bookings could be made to look like a moon base, with a store for pens etc shaped like a rocket made out of round plastic tubes.

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My intention would be to group images together on separate sheets of scenery to make it easier to fix to the wall.
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All edges to be smoothed off, nothing sharp or pointed. Building the scenery up in layers to create a pleasing 3D smooth textured surface, no more than 2 or 3 layers of standard MDF thickness board so it does not create a hazard or dirt trap. I will where appropriate especially at reachable height try to shape all the edges of the MDF with a bevel approx 45 degrees for easy cleaning & to make it harder for children to grip & pull off, for extra safety.

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One piece of MDF scenery for the foreground with shapes images glued or screwed (countersunk) in place, nothing sharp or protruding. One for the left hand side, upper area. A similar arrangement to the right side. In the middle the swirling universe image surrounded by images painted or glued in place to give a 3D effect.

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I have also had some kind advice from our local toyshop Clementine Toys in Bitterne Triangle 25 Manor Farm Road tel 0238178 9553 who may be able to help with some discounted space related children toys.
http://www.clementinetoys.com/

http://www.clementinetoys.com/acatalog/Rockets_Aliens_Space_theme.html

I particularly liked the simple design of the mobiles. The lady in the shop suggested she may be able to offer a discount should we be interested. They at least give us some further ideas which we could perhaps use in our sensory area.

My friends who run an art gallery/framers in Parkgate http://www.%20brownsfineart.co.uk/. Browns fine art have generously offered me some mount board offcuts for free which we can use as templates & as part of a mock up of the design we finally agree on for the sensory area. By using the cut out shapes we can ensure all the images of rockets, stars etc fit the wall space before manufacturing them in mdf.

I have yet to determine the paint & varnish I would like to use subject to your approval. There are a number of acrylic based paints some incorporating ink or metallic (shinny/fluorescent) which may be fun. I have a wealth of kind expertise from my arty friends who are teachers/illustrators etc to help me. Once I have narrowed them down as there are many to choose from I will let you know.

Subject to your approval once we agree the design I would like to purchase the MDF from B&Q near Hedge End Southampton. Charles Watts Way, Hampshire - 01489 779 100. They will cut the MDF sheet (hopefully free of charge for the cutting) into a more manageable size for transportation. I can then use my Dads jig saw to cut the exact shapes we agree on.

B&Q have a website http://www.diy.com./.

The MDF is on
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=MDF&x=23&y=10