Coolest Playgrounds Designed by Architects

Buga 05 Playground

Buga 05 Playground is a unique playground designed by Rainer Schmidt Landschaftsarchitekten. Unlike most playgrounds, it does not contain the typical play elements, but rather, it provides an innovative and contemporary take on play spaces through its use of just two materials/colors: grass and tartan, and playing with the relief on the terrain. The result is a bright and fun playground that encourages play and children to jump around, while making one feel like they are in nature.

Swarovski Kristallwelten

The original Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds) opened in 1995, and has been a main tourist attraction in Austria. An expansion to the museum was designed by Snohetta and re-opened in 2015. A 20 meter high play tower to draw families (and in particular, children) was designed, and situated in the south end of the garden. The play tower features a range of play experiences on four levels, creating an innovative and unique space for children and adults alike to explore. One of the main features is a 14 meter high climbing net.

Woods of Net

Woods of Net is a permanent pavilion installation by Japanese architects, Tezuka Architects and artist, Toshiko Horiuchi. The pavilion is located at the Hakone Open-Air Museum. The playground net was knitted entirely by hand by artist Horiuchi, and designed specifically for children to explore play by crawling, rolling, jumping around and on the net. The structure that houses the playground net is composed of just timber, held together by thousand-year-old Japanese joinery techniques. It was designed to feel like a forest, blurring the boundaries between inside and outside, while attracting people into the space for play.

The Rampart Wave

The rampart wave is a 1000m2 wooden playground by BASE Landscape Architecture, based in Lyon, France. It is situated in the heart of old barracks from the 1830s, and is one of several contemporary urban spaces constructed in the area. The rampart wave draws its inspiration from a 19th century rampart attack, featuring a 50 meter long and 7 meter high wall, with numerous pathways and alcoves that lead to various entrances and slides. The playground was designed for progression, challenges, and exploration - imparting a playful feel into an otherwise barren site.

Kube Community Centre

The Kube House of Culture and Movement in a Copenhagen community center was designed by architecture studios MVDRV and Adept. Seen as a playground and exploratory space for adults, the design encourages adults to be more active through the offering of a wide assortment of activities and spaces, including slides, mazes, firemen pole, and climbing walls. Different spaces of different sizes and shapes come together in a giant play park.