Children's Traffic Square
NOT JUST AN POPULAR PLAYGROUND, BUT A MULTIFUNCTIONAL ROOM.
What you immediately see when you come to the childrens traffic playground in Helsinge is a playground. The pedestrian crossing, traffic signs at child height and toy cars together with the digital platform create a whole with the theme "Traffic". This project, set in the lake by Gribskov municipality, aimed to transform a boring piece of urban space into a multifunctional universe with learning spaces, common spaces, play areas for Helsinge’s children. Helsinge’s urban space has expanded the educators' opportunities to create learning outdoors. They have been given the opportunity to include the space as an extra learning space, where they go on trips, eat their packed lunches and where there is a foundation for play, enjoy good dialogue and learning about traffic. And with over 40,000 on activations in 4 months, we clap our hands together with everyone in town, because it really is a visible proof that the space is being used.
This whole process of new traffic space was based on Helsinge's traditional “toy cars”, which have been in the city's space for over 40 years. In collaboration with the association Helsinge - Denmark's Best Children's Village and the business association Gadekærsforeningen, a decision was quickly made that the new place should provide space for lots of play, but also appear as a learning space about Traffic. Children learn best if it takes place in play and at a level where, learning takes place at child height. The project quickly came to fruition, as a mix of traditional play and new technology. The installations StoryTeller, EnergiHjul and game wall have been chosen to support the purpose.
Custom made TRAFIC WHEEL
In this case, the energy wheel is renamed "Trafic wheel" - the wheel generates power to start an audio file, where children from the local kindergarten have sung songs about traffic - "The wheels on the bus" and "10 small cyclists" etc. as part of a learning project about just traffic.
The wheel is thus used for learning about sound in the public space made by children from the city. This makes the Wheel an element they want to use with the family in their free time. The traffic wheel is located at a crossing in the pedestrian zone, which represents a road with stripes on it. This integrates the elements nicely in the urban space and emphasizes the theme.
Custom made StoryTeller
The StoryTeller is here visually designed as a traffic light- When you turn, the voice from traffic granny will tell you about the traffic rules. "Traffic granny" can be heard in the StoryTeller tells about the traffic rules in a loving, determined but also a fun way that is captivating for children to listen to.
“I have enjoyed voting for Traffic granny. I think it is a great idea to have a traffic area for the children, where they can be active in a fun way around learning rules in traffic. It could be expanded further and perhaps include further learning. I'm a little proud that it's me and my voice that tells the city's kids about traffic rules. Then I know that I have reached beyond my own grandchildren and that is a wonderful feeling.” - Irene Friis Larsen, Ramløse stage.
Custom Made game wall
The game wall is decorated with custom-made graphic foil designed for the theme of traffic.
The boards that the wall is the wall is made up of are made from Recycled Fiber, a PEFC Certified material (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). These boards have just been chosen based on their environmental and durable properties which include:
UV guarantee • 100% recyclable / environmentally friendly • Anti-graffiti • High breaking strength
Fire-resistant • All types of markers / markers resistant • Acid-resistant
The wall is mounted with Energy Games, where the children themselves generate the power first and then they can play.
Furthermore, it also functions as a general learning board - ie. an aid, a learning space where teachers, educators and parents can have a conversation about traffic rules, etc. from the board and the StoryTeller.
Energileg Soundlab
When EnergiLeg became a subcontractor for this space, the design had to go from being a traditional playground to becoming an outdoor and conceptual learning space with the theme of Traffic. A transformation in a traditional mind-set about what one playground must contain, and Gribskov municipality was aware of the ideology of the project. It can be difficult when new technologies need to be integrated and not least when it must be an inclusive learning space where the dissemination sit in the closet. At EnergiLeg, we offer a platform for digital education for the youngest citizens. EnergiLeg Soundlab consists of:
An audio library where you can download and upload audio files
An inspiration catalog with sound experiments for children
Instructions for using a microphone
Audacity
Competence development of those involved
Facilitation of workshops - both introduction to sound design and sound production