Freedom Play Sticks for Play Spaces

Abstract: In playgrounds usually children find various play equipments containing different activities, but rarely facilities are found which bring opportunity to play with space. Even though, in playground equipment industry there is not enough attention to spatial play, it is a very valuable play activity for children’s development; there are lots to learn from space as well as so much fun to enjoy of it. The project Freedom Play Sticks has looked at the playground as Architectural play space and address the question: What if the play equipment would be designed to create the play space? This project’s aim is to make a modular space creating element for Landscape Designers to use in creating outdoor play Spaces. The idea of the product is to make a flexible playable component that can be used to generate a wide variety of spaces depending on different sites and locations, as well as having the freedom to use it in their own way for different projects. Freedom Play Stick consists of two parts: a small square shaped block which is connected to the foundation under the ground, and the second part which is a thin long stick and is the main visual element. The stick is joined to the block with a main axle and can thus be installed at many angels from almost horizontal to vertical. Locking bolts then keep it in position. Once the Freedom Play Sticks are installed in place, they can stand alone as a sculptural space creator or many other materials or play activities can be attached to them to provide something for all age groups. The challenge of the project was to create an element which is supposed to be used by other designers in their own design projects. It is important in this process to remember that they have their own ideas and want the freedom to choose their own way of using the element. There for it should be as flexible as possible to suit different desires and uses. I aimed to design a product that was simple in appearance and flexible in its use. In this way it can be used in many environments without over powering the natural beauty. And because, it has an open identity (without too much detail) it can be used in many solutions.