Projects
Dave’s designs are installed in many locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. Generally, there are three categories of installations: Maze, Labyrinth, and Puzzle Maze. They can be either permanent or temporary.
A maze consists of a system of pathways where the guest makes choices along the way. The goal may be to escape the maze, find a center, or be used in conjunction with one of Dave’s games. A game enhances a maze making it a scavenger hunt. Dave uses many materials in his designs including: live bamboo, sunflowers, tiles, hedges, used tires, straw bales, fencing, pennant flags, and other materials.
A labyrinth is a single path to a center (generally). They are often laid out in brick and stone or cut into turf. It is said that labyrinths are the oldest images created by man that do not duplicate anything in nature. They are effective in meditation, representing a spiritual journey. Dave uses traditional designs and original labyrinth design (protected by copyright).
A puzzle maze is a maze with enhanced rules beyond not crossing over or through a wall. Dave is one of the few designers in the world who designs puzzle mazes professionally. Rules may restrict certain turns or require passing over colors in a sequences. This adds amazing complexity and so requires less space to install. Dave’s puzzle mazes can be painted on concrete or laid out in tiles in areas as small as 12 feet to a side, challenging children and even adults.
The Labyrinth Maze
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We painted my labyrinth maze at Pearblossom Elementary School in Pearblossom, California. It is a single path labyrinth to the center if you follow the blue path, and a maze of choices if you follow the yellow path to the center. This is the only design to combine a labyrinth and a maze that I know of.
We also installed my popular Hop Dots and four puzzle mazes at the school. I am now partnered with Chris Minsal to paint the labyrinth maze and other designs in southern California and beyond. If you have blacktop or concrete to spare let me know. I use Google Earth to plan installations. Dave Phillips |
DCM Cardboard Box Maze
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This is my first cardboard box maze castle that we built for The Delaware Children's Museum made with used boxes. The boxes are free but it is very labor intensive. I prefer nice new uniform boxes.
I built the second cardboard box maze for DCM using my new method and nice new cardboard boxes. It took a fraction of the time and is much stronger. My maze panels are made with four uniform boxes and features a hole in the middle. Children are delighted to look through the holes to see each other on adjacent paths. See A-MAZE-D. Dave Phillips |
Step Over Maze
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A step over maze is a puzzle maze that requires stepping over painted studs in the order of: red, white, blue. I installed this one for the York PA arts festival. It was wildly popular. I did not see it empty during the three-day event, even when it rained.
This maze really draws people in. It can be installed in half a day, once the pieces are made, and easily broken down. It can be temporary or permanent. The smaller version can be installed in an area as small as 15 feet on a side. See Puzzle Mazes. Dave Phillips |
Pennant Flag Maze
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I designed this maze for Clark’s Elioak Farm in Ellicott City, Maryland. The farm rescued attractions that were part of the original Enchanted Forest, the second oldest “themed” park in the United States. I went to it as a child to give you an idea how far back this goes. The park restored and installed the old nursery rhyme attractions which included slides, buildings, and figures. A part of the park included an area of pine trees about 100 feet wide and 600 feet long with some of the attractions inside it.
I chose a maze of pennant flags to compliment the attractions and not hide them. Children can follow the maze or simply duck under the flags. The key to this maze was the existing trees, of course. It could also work with a grid of T-posts. Dave Phillips |
Tile Mazes
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Many tiles mazes have been installed using my puzzle maze designs. They use concrete pavers that are 18” square or so, and painted with concrete paint. They are usually framed like a patio with pressure-treated wood, though they can be painted on existing concrete slabs or inset into turf.
They typically require about 30 feet on a side or so but they can be as small as 12 feet on a side. Children as young as 8 can solve these mazes, or at least follow the rules. They also challenge adults. See Puzzle Mazes. Dave Phillips |
Painted Puzzle Mazes
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Painted, themed puzzle mazes can take on many shapes such as animals, logos, and familiar objects. They take a larger area, about 50 feet to a side, and require an ability to draw using a grid and an experience hand to paint.
My wife and I painted the turtle at Ard’s Farm in Pennsylvania since we wanted to know how involved it would be. It took us two full days; twice the time we thought it would. That’s me in the picture for scale. The rules for this maze are to start at the right back leg and exit by the front left leg. Do not pass over two dots of the same in a row—alternate colors. See Puzzle Mazes. Dave Phillips |
Bronx Zoo Maze
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I designed the maze for The Bronx Zoo’s Harvest Festival. I used fencing especially made for mazes and other attractions which enabled me to use a triangular grid. Real corn stalks immerse visitors in a miniature corn maze experience. I also use my popular Finger Find Game to extend the time in the maze and to compliment the overall theme of the festival.
Printed fencing panels may be installed to promote any theme. Panels may also be painted. Dave Phillips |