Battery Playscape

New York City

The Battery’s ecological richness finds a unique expression in the Playscape, a new play area designed by Starr Whitehouse and BKSK to promote ecological literacy in children. Moving off the premise that an early appreciation for ecological diversity fosters environmental consciousness in adulthood, each of the Playscape’s five zones is designed around a unique... Continue Reading

The Battery’s ecological richness finds a unique expression in the Playscape, a new play area designed by Starr Whitehouse and BKSK to promote ecological literacy in children. Moving off the premise that an early appreciation for ecological diversity fosters environmental consciousness in adulthood, each of the Playscape’s five zones is designed around a unique typology. These zones combine plantings, custom play structures, and programming to create an immersive play experience that teaches children about daily life in a briny a marshland, or the hardy plant communities of a rocky bluff. Interwoven with the ecological story is a second narrative: that of the realities of climate change, and the necessities of environmental stewardship in the twenty-first century. Impermeable paving visibly directs surface runoff to verdant raingardens crisscrossed by foot bridges, integrating environmental management practices into the very heart of the play experience. With the introduction of elevated elements and a rich and varied materials palette, universal play became a vital design consideration. Accessible routes, play features and transfer platforms allow children of all abilities to play together. This inclusivity goes beyond access to encourage play across age groups. The design allows children of all ages and their caretakers to play and learn together.

Photo credit: © Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto.

Read Fast Company’s profile of the project here.

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