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playscape 280
Playscape is a modular playground designed for the residential street. It challenges the misguided opinions such as safety and ‘stranger danger’ associated with play on UK streets.
Each part can be moved in four cardinal directions via the action of sliding.
“Parents are torn between protecting their child and limiting their geographical range, and their desire to instil independence and autonomy that comes from free play and exploration beyond the close confines of home.”
A polyethylene (HDPE) convex drainage board allows for excess water to run-off and enables the user to effortlessly move the components around the matrix.
Joanna Feeley Trend Bible
The playscape modular system comfortably fits into the footprint of an average parking space (2.5m x 5m). With two vacant spaces at all times a variety of landscapes can be created. The perimeter of playscape is made from heavy duty rubber, similarly found in parking curbs, and can be either temporary or permanently installed.
materials
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Playscape is made up of thirteen alternatively sized and shaped components that provide a varied series of mental and physical challenges. Each component is rotationally molded from polyethylene, specifically LDPE. A combination of stabilisers, UV absorbers and antioxidants would not only ensure that each module held their colour for years to come but also withstand the rigours of children’s play and year round weather conditions.
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3 x tiles
2 x blocks
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1 x curve
1 x slide
1 x tunnel 2 x shelters
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1 x slide
1 x tunnel 2 x shelters
11 year old girl
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9 year old boy
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7 year old girl
reclaiming the residential street as playspace one parking space at a time
playscape
experience A simulation of playscape was created to witness the mental and physical challenges the children encountered during their play experience. Members of the Warriston community (Edinburgh) engaged with the prototype, ageing from 5 to 85.
PLAY HERE *click to play
“Fun...I don’t like it, I love it...awesome!!” - Daniel, age 9
ENJOYMENT
ROLE PLAY
TEAM WORK
PHYSICAL CHALLENGES
“What a fabulous concept - a portable, aesthetically pleasing play structure which allows children to use their imaginations and exercise safely in their neighbourhood.”
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PROBLEM SOLVING
- Kerry, Mother of 3
INTERGENERATIONAL PLAY
implementation
COMMUNITY
Playscape can be implemented through two different streams with the possibility of fixed or temporary installation.
CAMPAIGN
COUNCIL VISIT
PLAY
Community applies to council for playscape
Site visit from council to assess likelihood
Playscape is installed and can be enjoyed by the whole community
playscape COUNCIL
COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT
APPLY
PLOT SEARCH
CONTACT
APPROVAL
Council actively seeks for potential sites to install playscape
Council meets with community to discuss playscape options
Permission granted and legalities made clear with community endorsement
ON THE ROAD
POP UP
PLAY SESSION
NEXT VENUE
Playscape goes on a tour of the UK
Playscape is installed temporarily within a community
Facilitative play session provided and residents informed of playscape
Playscape is dismantled at end of session for next installation
safety & location Safety was a concern brought up by many and this is addressed through carefully considered site location. As playscape fits into the area of a parking space there is flexibility as to where it can be installed. Here are some examples of where playscape could be safely located.
* Dependant on location, extra safety measures can be added such as barriers and signage
“This project resonates so deeply with the research we have done on the future of outdoor play. It creates a sense of security and balances this with a genuine opportunity for outdoor play in their own community that most children these days have never experienced before.” - Joanna Feeley Managing Director Trend Bible
“By turning an uninspiring parking spot into a jolly playground, playscape provides hours of creative and imaginative fun in an unusual large scale. Children learn through play about construction, composition and - perhaps most importantly - inspires and empowers them to change their own surroundings.”
“It was a wonderful experience...Every time a box was moved a new play experience was created. As a consequence the children were engaged in many types of play for an extended period of time... all within a space 2.5m wide by 5m long... The opportunities, like children’s imaginations, are limitless!”
- Mikkel Sonne Experience Design Manager LEGO House
- Margot Walshe (BA) Landscape Architecture Author of the ‘Play Directory’