The Wikado playground is an unusual outdoor recreational area for children at the Kinderparadijs Meidoorn facility. In place of typical, commercial playground equipment such as swings, slides and see-saws, this jungle gym repurposes old wind turbines to create an exciting landscape.
Using five discarded rotor blades, the Rotterdam-based studio 2012Architecten created the singular Wikado playground. These blades have been pulled apart to form climbing towers, caves, play surfaces and slides. Molded into a maze-like space, the Wikado playground has a panna court in the center. The four 'towers' have been placed on the outer corners of the Wikado playground with a large net fastened to them. This net provides a fun climbing section for kids.
The Wikado playground design team was made up of Jeroen Bergsma, Césare Peeren and Jos de Krieger.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Eco-friendly Playgrounds
- There are opportunities to repurpose and reuse common materials to create unique and exciting play areas for children.
- Upcycling Wind Turbines
- Old and discarded wind turbine parts can be creatively repurposed to create visually stunning playground equipment.
- Innovative Playground Design
- Designers are exploring new ways to create engaging and challenging playgrounds that can promote physical activity and imaginative play.
Where This Applies
- Green Energy
- Companies in the renewable energy sector can find new opportunities to reuse or upcycle their products in unconventional ways.
- Playground Equipment Manufacturing
- Manufacturers can explore the use of more sustainable and repurposed materials to create unique and eco-friendly playground equipment.
- Architecture and Design
- Architects and designers can apply their skills to create innovative and engaging playgrounds that prioritize children's physical and mental health and well-being.
