Integrating play space within the public realm

The Täby Torg project, located in Sweden is a multifunctional public plaza organised into six individual squares. The Polyform Architects main concept was to create a ‘Space of Opportunities’: a dynamic public space where city life flourishes. The plaza is designed to accommodate all sorts of different activities and attract users of all ages. Among the seating areas, the market square, the water square and the large stage there is also a unique outdoor play space.

The Täby Torg Playground

A great highlight of this urban design project is the fact that all six squares of a different function are seamlessly integrated into a wider public space, meaning that it manages to combine daily activities – walking, shopping, resting and playing (pedestrian walkway, a market area, a seating area, a play area) – without strictly separating them.

The Täby Torg play space defies the stereotype of a public playground and suggests a fenceless space with a unique and innovative design concept that promotes imaginative play. It is composed of four basic elements, which, due to their different positioning, dimensions and shape combine to form many different sorts of space.

As shown in the master plan, the play space is designed like a natural hillside offering the children various play experiences. Within this unique setting, the architects have managed to create a play scape that sparks children’s imagination to explore a wide variety of playful scenarios.

A great highlight of this urban design project is the fact that all six squares of a different function are seamlessly integrated into a wider public space, meaning that it manages to combine daily activities – walking, shopping, resting and playing (pedestrian walkway, a market area, a seating area, a play area) – without strictly separating them.

The 4 playground elements

The design concept breaks down into four the basic playground elements:

1. Multilevel topography texture
The main element of the playground is unquestionably its topography. The “orange hillside” not only inspires all kinds of moving – from rolling down the hill to cocooning in a cave shaped side – but it also contributes into creating a sense of place.

2. The Tube
Different length and inclination of the tube structures function as slide, bridge, tunnel, pipe and so on.

3. Cylindrical steps
The layout of the cylindrical steps mimics the placement of stepping-stones across a river. Moreover, their installation forms a circular shape promoting group sitting and social interaction.

4. The orange carpet
The bold orange colour of the carpet that unfolds along the appointed area defines seamlessly the boundaries of the play space without fencing it in. It is the thoughtful design of this specific square that attracts children’s attention and urges them to remain within the playground area.

Roof-Park-Plaza-Playground. Wichmann + Bendtsen, Åke Lindmann. All rights reserved.
Roof-Park-Plaza-Playground. Wichmann + Bendtsen, Åke Lindmann. All rights reserved.

Author: Maria Sitzoglou

References:
http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2016/01/taby-torg-an-urban-space-north-of-stockholm/

http://www.polyformarkitekter.dk/taby-torg/

Author: Maria Sitzoglou

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