Exploratory play

Colour designers Cherry Tian and Chris Smeaton were invited to the headquarters of a leading play manufacturer in Frasdorf, Germany earlier this month.

Their three day trip included a visit to the factory and design studio, tours around several play parks and sensory gardens.

On their return Cherry and Chris shared their experiences with the rest of the Colour-UDL designers, having been impressed by the thinking behind the design, craftsmanship of products and their sustainable specification (using timber from avalanche-prone valleys).

The visit reinforced the Colour-UDL approach to natural play space design:

// Through an understanding of the philosophies of play, our designers can create exciting spaces that excite and inspire children of all ages and abilities to be active and engaged in their outdoor environments

// That having some risk in play stretches children and develops their self esteem, imaginations and sense of adventure. This philosophy corresponds with NESTA thinking.

// A belief that play spaces should encourage non-prescriptive possibilities for play, giving the flexibility for a variety of different activities - lone play, group interaction and mixing of age groups.

To find out more about this visit or recent play schemes Colour-UDL have been involved with - including the 13 Sunderland City Council Pathfinder Play Parks and Adventure Playgrounds - see our portfolio, e-mail us or call Peter Owens on 0191 24 24 224.