Playgrounds are fun. They bring back memories of our younger years; they are recreational spaces where little ones can play and exercise. In contrast to traditional playgrounds where parents would often have to follow their children around the circumference of a little bark-covered square containing just a couple of swings, some monkey bars, a seat or two, and a slide; in these playgrounds, the contentment of parents is just as much a consideration just as that of the kids.
But how challenging is it for landscape architects to design such a space for kids and their parents? We looked everywhere in the world for the most exciting, creative, and aesthetically pleasing projects for playgrounds.
Here are some of our favorites that we have found for you in this blog post.
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Marmara Forum Cloud Playground, Turkey
This extremely unique playground made in the shape of modular clouds was designed by Carve Studio and is located in Istanbul, Turkey. It may be viewed on the rooftop park of the Marmara Forum in the Bakirkoy neighbourhood. The key distinguishing features are the vertically layered clouds and semi-transparent windows. While the children play within the cloud pieces, the windows allow diverse colours to penetrate through into the play environment. Children can slide, lie on hammocks, or climb nets, and if they choose to hang out in one of the nets, they’ll even get a glimpse of the metropolis! The unique thing about this project is that it’s about best utilising space in cities, and Carve’s project is a great example of how to overcome this challenge. The clouds were built directly on site and the manufacturer is Playdium.
Myyrmäki Sports Park, Finland
As part of the continuous urban renovation taking place in the Myyrmaki neighbourhood of Vantaa, in Finland, it was suggested that a joyful and colourful sports centre be built there. In addition to being the largest Nordic skate park, there are several facilities to choose from. The manner in which the pathways are leading to the different sporting facilities converge and create a visual effect that is suggestive of a chain of islands. All of these elements were included in the design in order to create a hub for young people and to bring together a number of different activity-related sports.
Serravalle Designer Outlet Playground, Italy
A well-known destination in Italy for those who like shopping is the Serravalle outlet, located in the Piedmont region. It is in a handy location near several large towns in the north, and it also features a very interesting children’s play area, which lets parents shop in tranquility. McArthurGlen decided to work with Carve Studio in order to have their building designed with a flexible plan. The final product gives the impression of a series of brilliantly coloured houses that a child would feel at home in. A series of hexagonal towers and plateaus in the style of a labyrinth is what makes this structure entertaining for children. The layout of the playground is reminiscent of the homes that may be found in the isolated mountain villages in the region. The company that made it is called Holzorf srl.
Songzhuang Micro Community Park, China
Cross boundaries was given the assignment in China’s capital to transform a linear streetscape close to the Xiaopu Cultural Plaza into a vibrant yellow outdoor community park. Despite the fact that it is intended for children, it is also used by artists, which makes it a unique hub for creators as well. This inclusive component of the architecture is referenced by the yellow routes that allow children and adults to bike, run free, and explore the various rooms.