THE CITY AS A PLAYGROUND
PROJECT NL - INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE PROJECT
LOCATION: UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS YEAR: 2016 - THE BERLAGE CENTER FOR ADVANCED STUDIES IN ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN, TU DELFT
TEAM: MANOLIS VENIERAKIS
TUTORS: SANNE VAN DEN BREEMER, HUGO CORBETT, SALOMON FRAUSTO
The project is a critical research in play areas in the Netherlands and a design proposal for a play area in the suburbs of Utrecht, challenging the contemporary enclosed playgrounds dictated by safety standards and protective materials, restricting their use to children only.
Using Google maps as a tool to exploit its possibilities for leisure and play, a new play tab is designed to connect existing locations and new interventions throughout the neighbourhood, forming a network of public places accessible to all age groups and members of society. New play routes offer hour long stops in sports facilities, few minute calmer routes to lounge, swing and slide in the new playgrounds, or just seconds longer diversions to say hi to the neighbours.
A new social playground design is suggested, reinterpreting the concept of the labyrinth, where borders and boundaries are redefined, providing an open yet controlled environment. Ordinary equipment for children is mixed with a series of distorted urban furniture, that adults can also enjoy while overlooking children.