Homework #1

Cool Playground Designs and Structures around the world

Alema Begum

Silver Towers Playground, 2010 Designed by: Tom Otterness
42nd Street between 11th and 12th Avenues, NYC

• An interesting sculpture that also serves as a single structure playground that is enjoyable to young children. The cool and artistic design probably attracts many people. The design is kind of simple and classic but still interesting and fun.

Woods of Net  Hakone, Japan Designed by Toshiko Horiuchi Macadam.

• Cool interior net structure kids can climb and play on. Unique design probably attracts a lot of people.

• Spinning structures in playgrounds: Classic vs new designs.

Sculptural playground in Schulberg, Germany. Designed by ANNABAU. 





The Giant Spider and Mushrooms, Denmark Designed by:MONSTRUM





The Blue Whale in Plikta park, Gothenburg, Sweden. Designed by Monstrum.

• Interesting climbing structures. Could be more appealing to kids because there’s more to climb and because of animal-based designs.

Water Playground in Tychy, Poland

• Colorful, fenced water playground. Though closed, the playground lights up at night.

Zabeel Technology Park, Dubai, UAE

• Technology themed park with educational and recreational exhibits grouped into three different zones: Alternative Energy zone, Communications zone and Techno zone. Has cool technology-based attractions.

Site Visit Cancelled/Happy Holidays

Everyone,

our proposed site visit to Sandpiper Playground

in the Rocakaways has been CANCELLED!

We hope to see all of you

at our next Team 8 Meeting

on Monday January 7th here at DDC/SCA.

Please post all of your research material on the blog.

Have a wonderful

Holiday Season

Your Mentors.

Seniors, good luck with those college applications!!

Some Urban Parks!

Above: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Tampa

What I appreciate about the above park is the use of organizational elements such as the contrast between the grassy areas and the concrete pavers/hardscape, as well a the idea of the grid (arranging the plantings in grid formations)- to create visual delineation of spaces, keep things architectonic even though it is a park. I think we can do something similar with ground cover- we use for the playground- using rubber tiles or other similar materials- and working with grids and color.

Above: Chelsea Waterside Park

In the above bird's eye view of the park, we can see the elements of the park/playground that we could certainly use for our project such as color ground markings, divisions between different types of play areas using walls and half walls, play equipment which is non-standard, and lots of colorful greenery.





before



after

Above: Balsey Park

The four images above are of a park in the Upper West Side. As you can see from the before and after photos, the park/playground was revitalized from its previous version by the use of color, contrast, architectural and green/landscape elements, various types of seating and spatial dividers, and colorful play equipment. In a similar manner, our team can use multiple techniques to bring new life to a seemingly drab and mostly gray site.

More miscellaneous examples of INSPIRATION!

Thanks for reading!!!

*All projects and images have been taken from the website of landscape architecture firm: Thomas Balsey Associates. To see more projects, visit www.tbany.com



Sanitation Garage Field Visit Photos!



Storm Prevention Measures - Anayath

levees and coastal dikes
mangrove trees planted to reduce wave strength
improved vegetation cover as it helps to reduce flooding b/c water is absorbed through the soil
flood gates
make the play ground in a slightly slanted (89 degrees) or slightly dome shaped so water falls off
steel structures rather than wood
retractable playground equipment  or retractable shielding (such as windproof sails)

~Tensioned Canopies
PVC Canopies are designed to withstand 146 mph winds, installations include Pelican Harbor Marina, St. Patrick’s Church, the Ritz Carlton South Beach pool deck canopy and many others. You can also see these types of canopies at Jungle Island and the Port of Miami too.

~Metal Shelters and Pergolas
Designed to withstand Hurricane Force Winds, they are great for amphitheaters, parks and playgrounds.

indoor playgrounds

HW#1~Anayath

SITE VISIT INFORMATION

Everyone,  please be sure that your Field Trip Permission Forms have been submitted.  PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK THE BLOG FOR ANY LAST MINUTE UPDATES!!!

Field Trip Site: Manhattan 1/2/5 District Garage
Field Trip Date: December 17, 2012
Field Trip Start Time: 4:00 PM SHARP!!!!!!!!
Meeting Location: The corner of Washington Street and Spring Street.

Miguel's mobile phone number: (646) 235-7540

Closest Subway Stops: E & C Train to Spring Street or #1 Train to either Houston or Canal St.
Map:

SEE YOU THERE!!!

Project Research Assignments

As per our last meeting, here is the list of research assignments.  Please post all of your information on the blog. 

HISTORY - Adina & Tynasia

THEME - Ryan & Veronika

CODES/GUIDELINES - Taylor, Sherilyn & Asabea

PRECEDENTS - Sayeeda & Leonardo

SANDY DATA - Isaac & Christopher

DEMOGRAPHICS - Tasfia & Marcelo

STORM PREVENTION MEASURES - Anayath & Alex

PLAY EQUIPMENT - Aleema, Robert, Matheus & Nephthalie

WEBSITES to visit:
Consumer Products Safety Commission
NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
NYC Office of Emergency Management
National Weather Service
News Stations 
Census Bureau
Landscape Architecture 
Playground Awards
Queens Historical Society

We are looking for as much data as possible to help inform our decision making.  Post images, news articles, playground safety requirements, before/after images, storm damage mitigation, safety surfacing, play equipment manufacturers, spray showers, benches, lighting, trash receptacles, site furniture, etc.  Search everything you can on Google, Bing, Yahoo, YouTube etc.

Park features discussed:
Hydroelectric power
All weather equipment
Sidewalk sprinklers/misters
Flip seats
Wind turbines
Color theory - moods


Let's collect as much as information as possible!

ACE SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION!!

All seniors should check their emails for the ACE scholarship information packet that was recently sent out. Please take note of the instruction on how to apply ONLINE.

2013 Team 8 Project Selection Process 1 of 2

Another exciting meeting took place on December 3rd.

Team 8 was broken into three smaller groups to review the CIRT Competition Requirements and project themes.

The three CIRT Project choices were:

1. Universal Design Home Retro-Fit
2. Modular Classroom
3. Local Playground / Small Community Park

Each team discussed the merits of a single project and proposed initial ideas on how the project may develop.

At the end of the session the Team voted for the 2013 season:

• Universal Design - 3 votes
• Modular Classroom - 2 votes
• Small Park/Playground - 11 Votes

LOCAL PLAYGROUND / SMALL COMMUNITY PARK

will be the 2013 Team 8 Project.

The following is the CIRT program brief:

Local community playgrounds or small parks can offer an inviting green open space that attracts nearby residents (especially smaller children).  This design competition option challenges the team to create a visionary and/or innovative planning and landscaping proposal that either redevelops an existing playground or small park area into a very inviting space that reflects the community (thematic approach) combining a learning experience with athletics and/or play space - all in the name of fun!  [The playground/small park may be of your own dimensions and sited on a plot of your choosing, but these decisions should be fully explained and in keeping with the overall budget and resources that are likely to be attracted to such a project.  For example: what land will be used, how will it be acquired, what preliminary work needs to be done -- show transformation.  A $/square foot estimate is required].

We ask that all of begin the process of selecting a site.  Please provide as much data as possible for your suggestions.  Also, please continue with Assignment #1 and post images of cool and exciting stuff.

Park Ideas from Ryan

                                                                         PARK IDEAS