The Playscapes of Kulturinsel Einsiedel

image source dd4kids; see also their reviews of other German playgrounds

Kulturinsel Einsiedel says that "we build worlds as fantastic as the ones on the computer...that you can experience with ALL your senses!"  And I think that's important.  Because in all the finger-waggling about childhood obesity it's time that we acknowledged that the places we've been making for outdoor play actually aren't all that compelling.  Downright boring, in the main.  And yet they're up against the intense visual landscapes of television and video games.  Why are we surprised when the virtual reality wins?

One of the central ideas here at Playscapes is that play is better when the space for play is better.  And the grown-ups need to take responsibility for making better space.    

image source spiegelonline

image source dd4kids

image via wikimedia commons

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Kulturinsel Einsiendel has no trouble competing with virtual reality. It's an adventure playground/treehouse hotel in Neißeaue near Görlitz, Germany and the singular vision of Jürgen Bergmann, who is also the proprieter of "Artistic Wood Design Jürgen Bergmann".  They make wooden play structures and sculptures for other locations as well, all of which seem to have leapt from the pages of a fantasy storybook.  They refer to themselves as 'sculptors' rather than playground makers. "Big, unusual things made of wood“, that is what we reply when people ask what we are doing. Our products are based on our own ideas and designs. Every piece is manufactured only once. Fantasy creature, tree-house, climbing frame castle, bench suite, playable sculpture, landscape art or complex play-areas: Every object is unique."

image via wikimedia commons

And importantly, everything *seems* a bit dangerous, a bit risky, even though they comply with all European safety standards.  

Look particularly at how rich in texture--both visual and tactile--their playscapes are.  Most of today's playgrounds, on the other hand, have basically three textures:  slick metal, slightly rough plastic, slightly more rough solid surfacing/gravel/mulch.  Dull, dull, dull. 

P.S.  It's impossible to show as many pictures of Kulturinsel Einsiedel as it deserves...spend some time on google images and you'll find many more!  I'll show some more work from Jürgen Bergmann later in the week.