A Playground paradise for children of all ages featuring Corian^® solid surface, Koblenz, Germany

Germany’s National Garden Show (Bundesgartenschau 2011) in Koblenz invited children to explore a variety of playgrounds in the park. Many of them were planned as a permanent site and will continue to remain open. One of the areas of the park which is near the “Deutsches Eck,” an artificial promontory near the river Rhine, is dedicated to the topic of water in its many forms.

The park was split into different themed areas ensuring that children, teenagers, and all visitors were able to experience water in its different moods. A dynamic splash of colour was created in the water park area by using Corian^® for the wind roses, spheres, and slide elements featured in the different playing stations.

“Water is everywhere at “Deutsches Eck,” the junction of the two rivers Moselle and Rhine.” Gerhard Hauber, from the architectural office Dreiseitl in Überlingen, explained the concept of this particular water playground, by asking the question “How can the visitor be challenged? He states “it was our aim to develop an area where all our visitors could experience the central features of rivers and water. At the same time we wanted to inform and educate all children about this scarce resource: water.”

The water playgrounds included dramatic leaping fountains, completely calm surfaces, and many other features such as weirs, waterwheels and water channels with vortexes, so that the children could enjoy themselves in a safe environment.

The various elements of the playground, created from Corian^® solid surface, allow for a variety of interaction: some can be rotated, some can be moved up and down easily and some can be opened and closed. They were manufactured by DuPont Quality Network member, Henneke Formbau GmbH in Plettenberg.

This is the second time architectural firm Herbert Dreiseitl chose Corian^® solid surface for one of its projects. In 2007, they developed an animated playground including elements made with the solid surface material. Due to its thermoformability, high functionality, and dramatic visual impact, Corian^® solid surface is the design material of choice for use in busy public areas.

Corian^® meets the key requirements for children’s equipment: impact resistance and durability. It has a pleasant feel and touch and a wide palette of standard colours and custom colour options. 

Atelier Dreiseitl - Atelier Dreiseitl has 30 years of experience developing water related projects. The Company is involved in art projects, outdoor schemes, city hydrology planning, and environmental technology. As designers and moderators for various fields, Herbert Dreiseitl represents the innovative entanglement of art, technology and science. Additional offices are located in Beijing, Singapore and Portland, Oregon in the U.S.

Additional Projects include: Bishan Park, Singapore (2011): Renaturalisation of a river and park design; Zayed National Museum, Abu Dhabi (2011): Museum park, Tianjin, China (2010): Park design and water management; Zollhallenplatz, Freiburg (2009): Design of a public square.