Spring 2023

PLAY FOR ALL ACCESS

Topographic Playground Design

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/Studio#4/

Instructor: Susanne Trumpf

Objective: A community-oriented playful typographic playground

Site Location: Kwong Hon Terrace Garden, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Software:

Rhinocero 3D
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe InDesign (Portfolio & Presentation Panel)

In the densely built-up context of Hong Kong public open space is scarce, often lacks site-specific design, and appropriate maintenance. Beyond the larger parks and sports grounds and the smaller Sitting-out Areas and Rest Gardens, playgrounds have caught attention from the government and the community in recent years. Playgrounds, in particular, were already critiqued for many years for their unimaginative and ‘safety-first’ designs before repeated several-months closures during the Covid-19 outbreak sparked once more heated debates. The importance of adequate open space for the well-being of the community is now in the spotlight with a range of governmental and non-governmental initiatives emerging around it. This momentum is the starting point for this studio.

Through this project, I investigated the role of ‘playscape’ in Hong Kong and analyses the topic typologically, morphologically, and socially. I focused on concepts of accessibility and connectivity based on the result of our community engagement, eventually creating a playful typography where it is accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Project 1: Community -- Dynamic Neighbourhoods

Photo Diary
Documenting what I see during a walk around the neighbourhood

Diurnal

Business at Night

Selling in Day

Business in Day

Cultural

West vs East

Modern vs Traditional

Informal vs Formal

Process

Clean Plaster vs
Poured Cement

Depleting vs Regenerating

Community Mapping

Community Engagement

Engagement Board 1 (Before)

Engagement Board 1 (Result)

Engagement Board 2 (Before)

Engagement Board 2 (Result)

Case Study: Slides Hill, Governors Island, NYC, The U.S.

Evolution of Governors Island

Locational Map of Slides Hill

Axonometric Section

Project 2: Playscapes -- Typographic Playground

Existing Site Section (Kwong Hon Terrace Garden)

Clay Model (Working Model)

Existing Entrance Situation

Analytical Diagrams

Axonometric Diagram (showing proposed entry points)

Axonometric Diagram (showing materiality on overall design)

Design Plan

The overall design inspired from the concept of connecting various access points with playful typography. First I isolated some access points to the garden (both existing and potential access points) and then tried to use typography to connect them together in the clay model. After I identified some of the stronger curves from the model, I developed some paths and utilize them in connecting access while differentiating the three play areas. The paths will provide all access to people of different abilities.

For materiality, there would be boulders in the immersive tree area, concrete for the challenging mountains and epdm for the open free play area. These three areas would be in similar color tone but contrasting materiality, giving visitor various interactions and experiences. The whole playground wouldn't be so colorful like many of the playground which people would not get carried away by the vibrant color but instead focus more on feeling and touching the materials.

Inclination Diagram

Perspective Sections

Cross Sections

Cross Sections AA'

Cross Sections BB'

Cross Sections CC'

The three consecutive cross sections show the change in typography from aberdeen street to george lane access. They demonstrate various types of strategies to deal with typography change and different play experiences. They also show some context on materials, change in typography before and after the proposed design, how the paths intersect with the slopes (mountains, boulders, EPDM and surroundings).

Blow-up Section AA'

The open area is designed for free play and inclusive play. This area is relatively flat and open, which welcomes kids of all ages and abilities to play together.

Blow-up Section BB'

This shows the improved accessibility of the playground after the design, allowing wheelchair users and baby trolley to access the playground with ease, encouraging more passer-by to come in.

Blow-up Section CC'

This area aims to provide an immersive experience for visitors to rest under the tree canopy at the lowest point of the playground, providing a much needed shelter in such an busy district in the city of Hong Kong.

Blow-up Section DD'

This shows the challenging play area which kids can experience climbing with the mountains created from the extreme typography design.

Longitudinal Section

The Longitudinal Section shows some context of the surrounding buildings and roads. It demonstrates the relationship between the design and the adjacent roads. It also shows the rough typography in the area even after the proposed design. The contrast between different areas is also shown, with the hilly challenging mountain at the back, the gentler free play area on the right and the dense canopy area on the left.

Perspectives

Detailed Model 1

Scale: 1:50

Site: Kwong Hon Terrace Garden, Sheung Wan

Materials: Plaster, Foam, Wood, Dry Flowers, Cardboard

Fabrication Methods: Handcraft

This model features the detailed design from the first perspective section. It shows how the paths intersect and how visitors walk on them. There are also long grass or plants along the paths to provide some protection. It also shows part of the slides underneath the mountain.

Detailed Model 2

Scale: 1:50

Site: Kwong Hon Terrace Garden, Sheung Wan

Materials: Plaster, Foam, Wood, Dry Flowers, Cardboard

Fabrication Methods: Handcraft

This model features the detailed design from the second perspective section. It shows how visitor walk on the paths and interact with each other and the site materials.