BLOX - A playground in the heart of urban design and architecture

BLOX is the home of Danish Architecture Center and BLOX Hub as well as office spaces, housing and other various functions. The sustainable building is designed by Rem Kolhaas / OMA with a spectacular playground developed in collaboration with Carve.

The Dutch design and engineering bureau Carve is wellknown worldwide for their innovative and ground-breaking playgrounds and play equipment. The play space is designed to be complementary to the overall architecture of BLOX, and the outdoor space appears as an integrated part of the whole building's functional, minimalistic and urban style.

Elverdal completed the design by OMA and Carve and constructed the playground, based on our expertise on constructional matters, choice of materials, play values and playground security.
.

On the giant steps, children can both crawl, climb up and slide down again. Besides creating a play area, the steps provide a room for seating or hanging out observing other children play. Below the steps you can enter a cave-like open space, where the children can play in playhouses, a sandpit, swing or play hide and seek in a long play tunnel.

A large transparent play cage is put on the side of the playground. Here the children will find climbing challenges and develop their motor skills. Next to the play cage is a sports court for football and other ball games.

Play is important for the developent of important motor skills

Swinging games stimulate the vestibular sense
Crawling, climbing and ball games stimulate the kinesthetic sense
Touching different materials stimulate the tactile sense

The materials of the playground are picked to match an urban and open public space, in both design and quality. Primary materials are stainless and galvanized steel. Secondary materials are 'taifun ropes' with steel core. The main staircase is covered in prefabricated EPDM rubber, which is slip-resistant, have a matt finish and is soft to touch. Outdoor playhouses are made of larch wood.

Colours in general are neutral and make the playground blend naturally with the surroundings.

1. Realdania wish to support a new space for architecture and design in Copenhagen.
2. Realdania selects Rem Koolhaas / OMA as architect. OMA brings in Carve to create the design of the playground.
3. Züblin is chosen as general contractor on the project.
4. Züblin selects Elverdal as subcontractor on the playground. Tasks include value engineering as regards to design, construction, materials and playground safety.
5. Local kindergartens take part in a user involvement process.
6. Elverdal, Züblin og OMA have an ongoing dialogue on modifications, materials etc.
7. Elverdal makes the final design adjustments.
8. Elverdal produces and establishes the final playground solution.