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# String-Inspired Playground Equipment
Elementary School Features Continuous Steel 'Thread'

By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-03-08 | Art & Design
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playground-equipment
References: [notcot.org](http://www.notcot.org/post/19531/) & [objetgraphik](http://www.objetgraphik.com/ecole-elementaire-Paradijsvogel.html)

This clever series of playground equipment appears at an elementary school. Each piece is made of a single folded piece of painted steel. The playground was created by the [Kaptein Roodnat](http://www.kapteinroodnat.nl/) design studio.

I love how versatile one length of painted steel can be. The playground ends up looking like a series of thread-like sculptures.

**Implications** - Playgrounds are perfect places to foster children's creativity, and whimsical playground equipment that doubles as a set of [interactive sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playful-sculptures) inspires kids to think outside the proverbial box. By using a single length of painted steel for each piece, the designer cuts down out waste, which reinforces environmentally-friendly themes of sustainability, waste and recycling.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 3.2/10
- Popularity: 60% | Activity: 28% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha
- Top markets: North America, Europe

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design)

## Key Themes

### What Makes This Trend Stand Out

- **Whimsical Playground Equipment:** Opportunity for creating visually stunning and interactive playground equipment that inspires children's creativity.
- **Sustainable Design:** Opportunity to promote environmentally-friendly themes of sustainability, waste reduction, and recycling in playground equipment.
- **Minimalist Design:** Opportunity to explore the use of simple and folded steel as a design element in playground equipment.

### Sectors Adopting This

- **Playground Equipment Manufacturing:** Opportunity for manufacturers to create innovative and visually appealing playground equipment that sparks children's imagination.
- **Environmental Conservation:** Opportunity for organizations focused on environmental conservation to collaborate with designers to promote sustainable playground equipment.
- **Art and Design:** Opportunity for artists and designers to explore the use of minimalist and sculptural elements in their creations for playgrounds.

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- [Structural Energetic Playgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/archipelago-playscape.md)
- [Generational-Lasting Dynamic Playgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mike-hewson-2.md)
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- [Nature-Inspired Indoor Playgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sarit-shani-hay.md)
- [Landmark-Inspired Sleek Playgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doha-modern-playground.md)
- [Explorative Artwork Playground Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cuddly-playground.md)
- [Bright Playful Sport Playgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-and-nike.md)
- [Contemporary Playroom Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/randle-wall-climbing-handle.md)