About
Eastbywest was established to produce high quality youth spaces and skateparks. Working in collaboration with other specialised consultants, offering the individual expert experience of each alongside the client and the community. We always aim to deliver the best value and best functioning facilities. This approach starts at project inception, continues in design onto project management. Extending right through to activation of the built space. We are a principal only firm which ensures a personal and dedication relationship with the project, client and community.
With more than the 20 years in the skatepark industry Eastbywest has significant experience in design and delivery both domestically and internationally. This includes consultation, design and documentation whether in Ltyentye Apurte (NT), contract administration for Lawford Reserve (VIC) to the recent design and construction management on volunteer projects in Libya. Amongst various others.
Design and contract management experience with Eastbywest and past roles has led to the delivery of a range of community facilities with varying budgets. This includes skatepark extensions in regional Victoria, community led facilities in South Australia and multi-million dollar youth spaces in Western Australia. Actual build experience through the delivery of over 12 skateparks. This adds the unique addition of construction knowledge and skills, offering a more comprehensive understanding of skateparks and the industry.
Involvement in over 200 skateparks Australia wide has helped develop specialised skills including initial site investigations, feasibility reports, community/client presentations and workshops, integrated designs of youth and skateparks through to contract documentation for construction tender. Other skills include contract administration, skatepark inspections (as per AS EN 14974 2021 – Skateparks) and project management assisted by a Masters in Construction Management.
WHY EASTBYWEST?
1.Bespoke intimate firm
We are a smaller firm with the Principal (Wade) being the sole staff. This means you will be dealing with the owner of the company from inception through to delivery. This approach ensures a clear understanding of the client and communities expectations and that it will be represented in the project. With the less than ideal alternative being this vision being lost through several staff members and/or having less experienced staff working on your project.
2. Independent
We are a design only firm with no formal connections to construction companies. This offers confidence to the client that our designs and costings are not guided by an overarching construction company whose aims can be based on profit resulting in a smaller and less unique skatepark. Our skateparks have been built by various experienced contractors resulting in positive relationships with each yet with no alliances we can offer non-biased advice on costs and guidance through the tender stages and if required through construction all with no conflicts of interest.
3. Build experience
We are the only skatepark designer with 20+ years of skatepark design experience coupled with 5+ years of skatepark construction in addition assisted by a Masters in Construction Management. This build experience involves the management and hands on construction of 12 skateparks. This offers a clear understanding of the complexity of skatepark construction meaning what is delivered can be built and as per the projects budget along with the technical knowledge to assist the client through construction. This experience is coupled with a clear understanding of AS EN 14974:2021.
4. Giving back
Since inception Eastbywest has had a cause of giving back via time and money to those less fortunate. Whether its our probono design work for a skatepark in Baghdad, volunteering to manage/build a skatepark in Mozambique to heavily reduced fees on projects in Australia remote communities and many more. Working with NGO’s we pass on our design and construction skills to locals which has resulted in locals designing and building their communities next skatepark/s. At present we are giving back (volunteering) on two projects per year.
5. Skate knowledge
We have been skateboarding since 1985 from wheeling around on a board to an ongoing life defined by four small wheels! This verifies that your skatepark is designed by someone with lived and technical experience that will work! Unfortunately, there are too many examples of skateparks that aren’t designed by skateboarders that might look attractive (or not) but simply don’t technically work as the intimate knowledge is simply not known. The result being a wasted funds and opportunity of a community asset.
Check out our Projects here
Media links:
– An interview about Central Australia’s first remote community skatepark: Monster Children – Central Australias first skatepark
– A recent article about how and why: Monster Children – Wade designs skateparks heres why
– ABC Radio National on the first professional skatepark in an indigenous community: Skateboarding bringing together a Central Australia Community
– Chat with Spinifex Skateboards about Eastbywest and the impacts of skateparks: The positive impacts of skateparks
Image by Wade Mclaughlin (Lancefield Skatepark opening)