Dian Coleman moved from the comfort of 3d treetops to the reality of the ‘jungle’ when he joined 19 other members of the HBPW team for an unconventional team building away day.
The ‘Go Ape’ adventure involved the entire team taking part in an aerial assault course through trees, along zip wires and swinging from Tarzan style ropes!
However, whilst tree top adventures and zip wires were still a figment in the event organiser’s mind (Helen Haynes!) Dian, an Associate with the firm, was designing a skyline elevated walkway linking car parks and visitor attractions at one of Britain’s most historic heritage sites.
But memories of the Gibside Hall project near Rowlands Gill at Gateshead in the North East, quickly faded when team members donned safety harnesses for their Tarzan style romp through the treescapes of Sherwood Pines in Nottinghamshire.
“Our 3d modelling work for the National Trust at Gibside Hall, a Georgian ‘grand design’ on a spectacular scale, and originally the vision of coal baron George Bowes, involved visualising a ‘skyline’ pedestrian access walkway from the parking area, and through treeland, to the wider visitor attractions and the grand hall.
“However, I have to confess that sitting behind a computer and making a scheme come to life before a stone has even been turned, proved far easier than getting harnessed up in order to climb trees, leap from a Tarzan swing or even zip wire across open space!”
The organiser of the HBPW away day, Partner Helen Haynes, forgot that she was on holiday on the day of the ‘Go Ape’ outing! She did not have to wear a harness!