playgrounds
Extensive (maybe also a little) media-coverage on video-games makes it appear as if children no longer play in other ways, which is hardly the case. Notions of what play is or ought to be have changed however. According to BBC News, the Demos think tank reports that in Britain, “Traditional play is disappearing and so are children from public spaces” … “Kids are now told where, when and how they can play and it isn’t working for anyone.”
Four examples are given of how to counter the erosion of unstructured play for children in cities or supplement existing fenced-off facilities for play. Temporary spaces such as artificial beaches in the city during summer or temporary parks revitalize meeting places. The notion of play has become so narrow, children’s play is often found ‘disturbing’ by adults. As a way of societal education, good play ought to become part of a city’s, a country’s iconic places, according to Demos. Grassing over Trafalgar square or major traffic arteries turns the tables on what comes first in society: cars or children. As entertainment for grown-ups is taking precedence over that of children, the future might necessitate for mobile spaces for play to be brought to children at times when they need it (e.g. Bristol’s play-containers). As unstructured play is an important part of children’s learning trajectory (about themselves, others and social values), children ought to be encouraged to appropriate and adapt their own play space according to Demos, albeit in a way inclusive of and acceptable to others in society.
It is not only interesting to ponder about future playgrounds, but also to get one’s hands dirty on them. A while ago, the Belgian designer Alain Gilles (together with C. Fidalgo and M. Leroy) developed a series of concept designs for children’s play in public spaces (see image) which he labeled Playground 2015. In an email conversation, Alain told us a bit more about the ideas behind the project and the way in which he and his colleagues went about the designs.
In the view of Alain and his colleagues children remain children also in 2015: they need a place in tomorrow’s cities where to play in a free, explorative, challenging way, by which they also become more self-confident and acquire social skills.
Most current playgrounds are rather static however, and after having bored the children, they are often deserted after a while. This brought up the idea to devise a solid, yet flexible structure allowing for different games to be rotated between playgrounds, or even on the playground itself. The various elements of the playground are meant to foster the acquisition of some values needed to live in a community. So some of the games will in a way highlight certain social behaviors and encourage children (aged 3 – 8 ) to explore communication, independence, self-esteem, respect for the other and for what belongs to the community. They also encourage the need to behave in an acceptable way, while at the same time stimulating young children to find their own path and venture out into the world.
The team did some literature as well as field research in schools, on playgrounds and together with children, teachers as well as child sociologists to inspire and tune their design. Furthermore, they looked at what 2015 might bring in terms of a new kind of environment, a new set of impulses that would impact children. These insights formed the building bricks for their designs.
Not only the children were considered as users upon which to focus the design, also communities in which the playgrounds could be installed. A ‘service model’ was thought of in which different communities (villages, cities, counties…) would be able to buy the games together. They would all do the ground work and install the grid on which the various modules can be fitted. Amongst each other they could then decide on how and when to exchange modules, and thus switch games from one playground to another.
Antzzz or the little community, consists of a set of open, closed or linked structures which allow children to replicate everyday social behaviors. The structures play with concepts of inside/outside, of lines of communication (e.g. bridges, windows). All parts are made to be easily (dis)assembled, transported and allow for multiple configurations. The bubbles are made of two identical double-skinned, rotomoulded elements.
The Cosmospheres allow sunlight to shine through through tiny holes, casting a sky full of stars on the inside. Children can hide and let their fantasy wander, away from, yet accessible by their parents, helping kids to become more independent.
Culbuto is all about unleashing energy. Let it burst! Up to four kids can shake the tree-like structure and reap the benefits of their effort. Key ingredients: adrenaline, balance, coordination.
Boulo Modulo consists of a series of big, memory foam balls in which children can leave their imprints for a while. By leaving their marks, they can claim or personalize their playground.
In Frog, children can jump from one green lotus to another, as they light up the path taken by a virtual frog. Computer controlled LEDs are lit via bluetooth sensors thus defining a random path. Metaphorically and philosophically speaking, society is a lot about behaving like others, and in a way walking in other people’s footsteps.
When asked about the growing influence of the digital world on our lives, hence also gameplay, Alain concludes with the following:
“Playgrounds in urban cities have traditionally been associated with the “real” world, if one can call it as such, going back to the roots of playing in the forest, running in the fields, building a tree house…. It has always been a means to go outside, exercise and discover the world; also in order to understand another part of oneself. And not about spending the full day in a cramped apartment or even a house. It is all about meeting people, other children, comparing (benchmarking in a way) ones abilities to those of others, discovering new sensations and feelings. So, in a way, it will be more and more about escaping the virtual reality as it becomes even more present and part of one’s “real” life.”
Some technical details: the playground elements are held to the ground by a series of studs embedded in a grid on the playground itself. Materials and techniques used (criteria: affordable, widely available, easy maintenance): metalwork, rotation molding, PUR foam, recycled rubber …
Related posts: