For children, playgrounds should not just be spaces for improving their physical strength, but environments where they can repeatedly gain various experiences, discoveries, and impressions.
We believe that it is desirable to plan spaces that are well-balanced, with places for socialization,communication, relaxation, and mood change, quiet play and active play, low and high, light and dark, wide and narrow, and other opposing environments, and to plan traffic flow and mobility.
There are many points to consider, such as fun, the possibility of continuing to play, and the risk and hazards being distinguished and arranged in a planned manner.
In particular, the playgrounds of facilities are positioned as valuable and special spaces where children can experience play that is different from urban parks and theme parks, because they can help and cooperate with their favorite friends, share the fun, and grow together.
A rich play space planned in this way has PlayValue. Creating a play environment that develops is not dependent on size or scale.
Even a small dead space or a sandbox can be updated into a popular play space by utilizing ideas.
First of all, Elfe Design will help you with the concept of the play space and the master plan.
Actively incorporate nature.
Instead of arranging play equipment in an orderly manner on well-maintained flat ground, place play activities in areas that utilize the natural terrain, such as the undulating ground, steps, and slopes, and place trees, shrubs, flowers, herbs, etc. in a natural way.
Also, if there is an environment where natural objects such as water, sand, soil, mud, pebbles, and wood chips are abundantly available and children can use them whenever they need to play, they will feel the excitement of exploring and adventuring in the forest.
Familiar natural objects such as flowers, fallen leaves, and small insects also provide unexpected observations and surprises during play.
Nature will further enrich play.
Master Plan (Purpose and Layout)
The layout of plants and playground equipment is as important as deciding which equipment to use in creating a play space.
The layout is an important point that determines the continuity and movement of children’s play, which is necessary for the development of play, and even the characteristics and enjoyment of the space, and is the key to planning a playground. Rather than selecting things to fit the available space or adding fragmented activities, introducing them in accordance with the overall master plan of the play space will create unity and provide the expected value of play.
Since there are variations with the same functions for the playground equipment that makes up the space, a master plan including zoning will be a compass for creating a rich playground, in order to avoid selecting materials that have excessive functions, overlapping functions, or that do not achieve the intended purpose.