The Art of Water Playscapes
Children like asking questions, and sometimes they ask a lot. Adults don’t always like explaining things, rarely do it vividly and sometimes not at all – if they don’t know the answer. This is why children’s playgrounds exist. They can look for things to do there, set themselves problems and work out how to solve them. The water-playground stands on the northern edge of the Black Forest, and in 1992 staged the regional horticultural show, using a very varied landscape featuring all aspects of water in an area of 4,000 square metres. ‘Learning through play’, an appeal from progressive educationalists, is something that is done here by children and a large number of adults as well. And in two contrasting spheres: nature and civilization.
Atelier Dreiseitl
Landscape Architecture and Park Design, Urban Plazas
This project was originally produced by Atelier Dreiseitl under the leadership of Herbert Dreiseitl. Since its merger in the year 2013 with the Ramboll Group A/S this project and the copyright is owned by Ramboll.
Location
Pforzheim, Germany
Client
Stadt Pforzheim
Timeline
Planning and Design: 1988 – 1989
Construction: 1990 – 1991
Site Area
300 m2
Status
Completed
Water is always on the move, creates a path for itself, comes to the surface, collects, seeps away – and raises questions. How does water come to the surface, why does it flow in the way it does, where do I stand in the cycle of coming to the surface and running away?
Historical water-lifting mechanisms such as Archimedean screws and shadoofs serve as educational tools through playful engagement. The playground provides numerous opportunities for hands-on water experiences, with the primary aim of imparting knowledge through creative play.
In the natural section the water appears in gently modelled brooks flowing through meadows and irrigation areas. The water rises from various clefts in a round stone basin or emerges as a surface spring from the luxuriant growth around basins on the site, then flows on its way, by now a little brook, to the civilization section. There it splashes, twists and winds through everything relating to water technology’s evolution history. Ancient devices for raising water (the Egyptian shadoof), Archimedean screws, a medieval well-shaft and a rotary pump are arranged together in a chain of play-stations.
Nestled harmoniously within the picturesque surroundings, the water playground finds its perfect spot between the serene flow of the Enz River and the rich historical tapestry of the nearby waterworks. This strategic placement not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also serves a functional purpose. To ensure compliance with stringent purity standards, the water playground incorporates approximately 20% of fresh water sourced meticulously from the adjacent waterworks. This careful integration not only maintains the quality of the water features but also reflects a thoughtful commitment to environmental sustainability in this idyllic setting.
Located in close proximity to the city center, the playground has consistently attracted a substantial number of visitors since its inception. This can be attributed to the thoughtful provision of both vibrant and serene spaces, coupled with its distinctive character evident in the unique design of each play station.
