Bungee Trampoline

Located in the Ron Clark Academy's library, the bungee trampoline is a physically engaging element that is part of a programmatically integrated reward system which encourages students to excel in reading and academics. For their effort in meeting or exceeding certain goals, a student gains the privilege to jump. While surrounded by cheering classmates and teachers, they soar and reach toward the limits of the sky.


The design challenge was to integrate this activity elegantly within a functional library.The integrated banquette seating serves as a casual seating element for the ground floor of the library. The radial surround seating is accompanied by four curved moveable reading tables which are approachable for use from either side. The centric arrangement allows for impromptu use from surrounding programmatic areas of the first floor including Stacks, Circulation Desk, & Cafe. Also, the orientation allows for a group to convene in a central location for instruction.


One segment of the seating (one-eighth of the circle) was reserved for integrated curved steps leading up to the trampoline bed for easy access.


The bungee system rigging, itself, is custom designed and structurally integrated into the 2nd floor railing system. The Library, as well as the entire campus, is an adaptive reuse of a warehouse site. The library building was once the offices for the complex. As a part of the library conversion, the large opening was cut in the floor to accommodate the bungee system, as well as to provide height and openness within the space. Two skylights above the opening bring the image of the real sky into the space. Custom railing panels with the Ron Clark Academy's own students jumping into the sky and murals by graffiti artist, Mr. Totem complete the illusion of fantasy and sky.