Sculptural Playground
The retro-fitting of the “Schulberg” hill in Wiesbaden creates an extraordinary new public space whose outstanding architectural beauty, overlooking the city centre, is attracting people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to meet and communicate through the action of play.
The heart of the new public space is constituted by an artistically shaped playground consisting of a large spatial structure. Because of its unusual and sculptural design the new playground attempts both to highlight the urban importance of the site and offer an attractive and complex range of gaming activities.
The main defining element is a spatial sculpture consisting of two green steel pipes winding and floating in distance and height. In some places the steel pipes cantilever up to 15m, leaving a lasting impression. The pentagonal shape of the structure was derived from the historic shape of the city of Wiesbaden, while the dramatic swoops of the pipes refer to urban situations on the site, generating entrance situations or overlooking points.
In between this structure a tensed climbing net creates a loop - a continuous sequence of gaming activities for children and teens. Within the loop there are six main stopovers for playing activities: bouncing membranes, a liane garden for climbing and swinging, a 'tunnel', rubber granulate plates designed to be jumped along, a nest swing, a steep climbing wall and an exhilarating downhill slide.
A modeled topography is enclosed by the climbing sculpture. Small hills and rings made from green soft rubber granulate offer play spaces for younger children and resting spaces for teens and parents. A boulevard constituted by a wide pathway around the playground provides benches for parents and the elderly to watch their children play and enjoy the stunning outlook. An anthracite, elegant round curb follows the pentagonal shape of the playground and separates the playground from this boulevard.
Materials:
Playground: steel pipe frame, steel and rope playground system
Floor: rubber granulate, sand, gravel, granite kerb
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