도심내 놀이공원의 첫번째 포커스는 어린이들의 무한한 상상력을 자극 할 수 있는 열린 공간 형성과 이를 통해 발현되는 공간의 생동감에 있다. 이는 CARVE의 일련의 작업에 연장선상에 있으며 이번 줄루 센터 놀이공원에 고스란히 반영된다. 먼저 어린이들과 '친숙하기'를 위해 접근성이 좋은 촉감적인 놀이터를 생성한다. 그리고 내부로 유입된 아이들의 상상력을 발휘 할 수 있는 다양한 놀이공간을 생성한다. 무엇보다 중요한 것은 공간은 정주하지 않고 연속적으로 흐르며 촉감적이여야 한다는 점, 그리고 이를 구체적인 오브제로 생성하는 것이 아니라 상상력을 자극 할 수 있는 은유적이어야 한다는 점이다. 현재 우리는 너무나 직관적이고 현실적인 놀이터를 아이들에게 제공한다. 자극적이지 않은? 일반화된 놀이터는 더이상 아이들의 상상력을 자극하지 못하고 활동에 필요한 기능을 제공할 뿐이다. 혹자는 이야기한다. 위험한 놀이터야 말로 아이들의 상상력을 자극 할 수 있는 최적의 장소라고... -안전상에 위험한 요소들을 이야기하는 것은 아니다. 공간이 정주되고 획일화 될 수록 놀이터에 대한 의미는 퇴색된다.-
reviewed by SJ,오사
End of 2012, Carve was contacted by the London branch of WATG landscape architects with the request if Carve would be interested in collaborating on the largest playground development in Istanbul.
Starting point of the design
The starting point for Carve’s design was that we wanted children to
be able to completely dive into their own world of imagination:
stimulated by other wordly shapes, colours and an unprecedented play
experience. It should be a playground visible from afar, yet a world in
its own right. This resulted in a playground that is truly one of a
kind: everything, from concept to layout, from play equipment to
landscaping, was designed specifically for the Zorlu playground. With
this, Zorlu Center offers a unique chance to create a backdrop for
unforgettable play experiences.
The playground consists of various zones and changes its look: from low,
bright and colourful at the entrance zone it gradually transforms into a
more adventurous, high and natural looking play environment. Within
this gradient, the playground is divided into different ‘worlds’, who
all have their very own character. While the parents are sitting on the
neighbouring terrace or the elongated bench that embraces the
playground, children can safely explore the whole playground on their
own.
photo © WATG, © IJreka, © Oguz Meric, © Carve
In collaboration with: WATG, London UK Design: 2013-2014
Completion: May 2014
Client: Zorlu Center
Location: Zorlu Center, Beșiktaș, Istanbul, Turkey
Area: 1,600 m2
Carve team: Elger Blitz, Thomas Tiel Groenestege, Marleen Beek, Hannah Schubert, Lucas Beukers
Low play-islands
The entrance area is dedicated to young children, with gentle hills to climb on, slide down and explore. On these hills, capricious play-shapes host numerous play-elements for the smaller children, like trampolines, spinners, climbing nets, hammocks and a slide. The wavy shapes of the hills reflect the shape of the neighbouring water-playground. In the wooden poles lighting elements are integrated.
Deep valleys, a bridge and a giant slide
Moving towards the heart of the playground, the hills turn into valleys. Here, a hidden world can be explored: a bridge, giant netting structure and a giant family slide, ready to be used by a whole bunch of children at the same time. The site is embraced by a natural landform, keeping children safe in the play area. The climbing nets and family slide are the eye-catcher of the playground; brightly coloured and visible from afar, this zone stimulates the adventurous and explorative nature of children of all ages.
Mountainrange coulisse
The deep valleys are embraced by a ‘mountain range’. Several rows of walls contain an endless amount of play possibilities, from climbing, running, hiding, sliding and crawling to playing hide and seek and diving into a completely other world, overlooking the rest of the playground. Together these walls act like a giant coulisse, which changes shape depending from one’s angle. It is an adventure to play here: a labyrinthian system of tunnels, sliding walls, ‘birds nests’ and lookout points and narrow alleys. Once you’re inside the mountain, there are numerous ways to get up to the highest point. The giant slide from the valley-landscape crawls up the hill, connecting both parts of the playground. In a roller-coaster slide of seconds, you’re in the heart of the playground again!
Two towers
On top of this all, the playground contains two towers from which you can overlook the whole playground. They differ in size and ability level, but are unmistakably part of one ‘family’. Transparent and non-transparent routes offer an endless amount of possibilities to go up! They are made of large stacked cubics cladded with wooden slabs. The three storey tower sits on the highest part of the playground and contains a long slide which only can be reached by climbing up the mountain range. The slide dives partly underground, covered by the hill – within seconds, children can slide down to the heart of the playground. The ‘birds nests’ that are part of the mountain landscape are also integrated in the towers. They function as hidden lookouts; children can climb in there and hover above the ground. The second, four storey high tower is equally transparent and also has an interior which is focused on climbing, hiding and lounging.
from landezine