Playspace for all : inclusive wayfinding

Abstract

Within the generic playground, an obsession with safety has stifled play. The common elements (the slide, swing, seesaw) have become prescribed to where it has abandoned a major aspect that is important for play as a means of development - curiosity. This thesis proposes a reconsideration of playspaces, which embodies ideals that encourage play through self directed exploration, investigation and risk. The goal is to integrate these ideals of play and create a curious procession between the object and the path. Through the act of wayfinding, the risk of losing one's way may lead to something equally rewarding. Therefore, the project relies on two gestures: the meandering path and the curious object as a landmark or goal to approach. Through a series of paths, with no prescribed route or set sequence of approach, the playspace offers a maze of tactile environments. Thresholds along these paths at times form more intimate pockets of play as further distractions or challenges to encounter. Varying degrees of transparency mask and reveal curious objects on approach and serve as a means to both entice and distract. Changes in sloped surfaces and material each suggests different ways of play, encountering risk or engaging in tactile investigation. Through exploration, investigation and risk, each child can establish a sense of ownership and achievement as an individual or as a part of a larger cooperative as routes intersect and reveal larger play areas. Within a playground that contains no swings or slides, there is no right or wrong way to play, navigate or explore. There is no prescribed path or sequence of how to play, what to play on, around or with. Instead, the solution provides an abundance of visual, tactile and auditory elements that suggest open exploration and investigation, regardless of ability.