SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

Students:

Paolo Blanchi, Bailey Kim, Emily Kurtzhalts, Bailee Legnetto, Jonah Mathew, Ethan Martinez, Revathi Nithipalan, Ana Pereira, Nicole Stout, Vanessa VanTongeren

Faculty:

Term:

Course:

Program:

Stephanie Cramer, Randy Fernando

Summer 2022

Study Abroad, Costa Rica

BS Arch, MArch, END

How can a playground benefit not only local children, but the whole community? The Sustainable Futures study abroad program stresses the importance of sustainable design through a community-centric focus. The nine-week program in Monteverde, Costa Rica, introduces students to the process of designing ecologically sustainable projects for the region. Using a community-identified project as a springboard, the students and local residents designed and constructed a playground.

This studio was driven by understanding potential ways of making that utilize reclaimed, recycled, and ecologically responsible materials. The next challenge was learning to implement these into a playground that is ecologically and socially just for the given context.

The land was donated by a resident whose family once used it as a cow pasture. It is located in one of the densest neighborhoods with a large population of children. Site preparation included identifying where bioswales should go and how to properly drain the site for the tropical Costa Rica climate. Student teams each proposed and had key roles in fabricating the three primary play elements. These included a zipline made with readily available steel sections and designed to minimize construction waste. Another team created a climbing structure using a whole tree, creating a functional play element at essentially no cost. The third team designed an element for small children with a swing and climbing net. The completed playground master plan included an exercise zone, game zone, skating zone, drainage channels, and a seating area.

While abroad, students participated in a homestay to fully immerse themselves in the culture and language of the Costa Rica community. Many former students say that the moments with host families are where deeper connections are made, and these are the ones that can make nine weeks away from home even more worthwhile.