BOULDER - Playgrounds convey swings, slides and monkey bars for most, but for one Boulder-based company, playgrounds are analogous with natural surroundings.

SawHorse Studio LLC offers clients an opportunity to incorporate natural surroundings into play areas for kids. The company designs and builds playgrounds and play structures for the indoors and outside.

"Our clients are looking for something that offers a more specific sensibility - something that has more of an artistic angle that matches a specific theme for specific existing spaces," said Kurt Simmerman, owner of SawHorse Studio.

Simmerman started designing "playscapes" in 2004 after searching for a creative outlet that would allow him to use his skill sets in design, architecture, landscaping and construction. Simmerman said he knew this was a business that his son would love and be a part of. "It's just a lot of fun," he said.

The designs are unique to each client - private or commercial - and Simmerman's developments have included rock outcroppings, caves, climbing walls, zip lines, trees, fake trees and logs.

The play areas incorporate natural woods and natural environment with steel fabrication and concrete molding. Safety guidelines are important when deciding which materials will be used for the structures, Simmerman said. He recently became accredited as a certified safety inspector for playgrounds through the National Playground Safety Institute.

"A lot of our projects really emphasize integration with the existing landscape and terrain. I think that across the scope people are starting to realize the value that this type of play area provides," Simmerman said.

His company offers an aesthetic alternative to prefabricated redwood structures, but because of the custom design and build the projects cost more.

Play Grounds - a new caf‚ located in North Boulder - is the most recent finished location of SawHorse Studio's indoor play areas. Simmerman custom built the indoor playground to include a tree house, activity tables, play kitchen and other areas specially designed for child entertainment.

Kenny Foster, co-owner of Play Grounds, said Simmerman far exceeded his expectations.

"He spent a lot of time in our space. He was able to build a magnificent tree house out of concrete that is realistic in look while showing special attention to detail including safety."

Foster and his wife Kari Swenson, who co-owns of Play Grounds, spent time researching child-museum creators before they saw Simmerman's advertisement on his truck.

"We were really excited to find someone from Boulder. Our customers are appreciative that we have a place where adults can go, and their children can still have fun," Foster said.

Simmerman has a contract with the Holiday neighborhood playground in Boulder and is under contract with the Denver Botanic Gardens, which includes a full outdoor playground with a pond and creek for water play.

Since 2004 the Boulder-based company has averaged 12 contracts per year with revenues amounting to approximately $300,000 per year. The business has one employee - a construction associate - but pulls from a number of contractors in Boulder County and Denver.

"I have 30 to 40 people who I use for each project. I am the composer and director. I coordinate it all, design and oversee it, and I get my hands dirty too," Simmerman said. "I have channeled my work to people who can understand the artistic angle and who can add to it."

Simmerman also has a community-based program the SawHorse Gang for kids.

"SawHorse Gang is a smaller part of the business where I provide woodworking and construction activities for children. I do after-school programs, festivals, birthday parties where I instruct kids on building with wood hammers and nails with small projects."

Simmerman is developing a contract with a child development center in California. The center is seeking companies to design/build full concept rooms, full theatre, indoor/outdoor playgrounds and ships.

"Wherever kids are, there are reasons to captivate them."