How To Design Award Winning Playgrounds

NOTE: This article is more than it appears to be. You need to read it in its entirety to understand fully.

The Challenge

I am often asked if there is a magic formula for designing award-winning playgrounds. And though it may look like magic, designing a playground that wins an international design award is no easy feat. You need a lot of creativity, planning, and attention to detail to create a structure that is fun, unique, and innovative. However, with the right approach, it is possible to create innovative, unique, and inspiring play structures- and playgrounds. In this article, we will discuss how to plan and design an award-winning playground.

Understand Your Audience

The first step in designing a playground that can win international design awards is to understand your audience. Who will be using the playground? What is their age group? And what are their interests and needs? These are all important questions to ask yourself before you begin designing. 

For example, if the playground is for younger children, the focus will be on brightly colored equipment and simple designs that are easy to navigate. If it's for older children, the focus will be on more challenging equipment and intricate designs that will keep them engaged. Through all stages of design, through execution, make sure you keep your audience in mind. 

Research Playground Design Trends

Once you have a clear understanding of your audience, the next step is to research playground design trends. Look for inspiration in design magazines, online blogs, and other playgrounds around the world. Pay attention to colors, materials, and the design elements that are being used. This will give you an idea of what is currently popular, and what might work well in your own playground design.

Consider Safety

Safety should always be a top priority when designing a playground. Make sure that your playground meets all safety standards and regulations. This includes ensuring that equipment is properly installed and maintained and that there are no hazards or sharp edges that could cause injury. By prioritizing safety in your design, you can create a playground that is not only beautiful but also safe for children to use.

Incorporate Nature

Another key trend in playground design is incorporating nature into the design. This could include using natural materials such as wood and stone or incorporating plants and trees into the design. Adding natural elements to a playground can help create a calming and peaceful environment that children will enjoy.

Think About Accessibility

It is imperative to think about accessibility. This means designing the playground in a way that is accessible to all children, regardless of their abilities and capabilities. This could include designing equipment that is wheelchair accessible, creating sensory play areas for children with sensory processing disorders, or incorporating braille or sign language into the design.

Conclusion

In conclusion, designing playgrounds that will win international design awards is a challenging but rewarding task. By following the recommendations above, thinking creatively and paying attention to detail, you can design a playground that is innovative, fun, and enjoyed by all- and can possibly win a design award. 

The REAL Conclusion

The above article was written via ChatGPT. 

Our structures that won the Red-Dot Award and the GOOD DESIGN Award were planned and designed by a human industrial designer who demonstrated the perfect combination of professionalism and understanding in the field of playground equipment, user experience and safety; alongside creativity and breakthrough innovation.

Just as articles like the one above will come off as dull and uninspired because human creativity isn't involved, so too, at this point, to create an award-winning playground structure must have the human touch- the human imagination at its core, and every step of the way. There are no stock formulas. There are no shortcuts. It begins and ends with the human spirit.

Photos

• Our "Bubbles" playground structure won the Red-Dot Design Award in 2019
• Our "Balloons" playground structure won the Good Design Award from the Chicago Atheneum in 2022

See more award-winning playground designs from Psagot Playgrounds