Iron Playground Equipment, Play Structures and Public Park Design · 2024
New York Play Unit
- A' Design Award 2024 Iron Winner in Playground Equipment, Play Structures and Public Park Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Cemer Playground Equipments
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 15,280
- Verification code 6D4BE2C352 · Verify this award
About New York Play Unit
New York offers kids to take part in play activities. The product mostly consists of 2D and 3D climbing ropes. When kidsclimb, theirmotor abilities, hand-eye coordination, and height phobia all considerably improve thanks to thedesigns. Its integrated rung climbing station and rubber stepper disks ensure that kids' physical development is improved as they play. Through polycarbonate panels featuring a silhouette of New York, the product brings in sunlight and the warmth of nature.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- New York provides children with an opportunity to engage in play activities. 3d climbing design helps children improve their motor skills, hand eye coordination and wariness of heights significantly while climbing. It features rubber stepper disks and a rung climbing station integrated into the play setup which ensure improvement in childrens physical development. The product lets sunshine in as well as the warmth of nature via polycarbonate panels of a New York silhouette.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Dimensions: Width 8,0 m x Depth 7,95 m x Height 5,95 m
Age group: 5 plus
Capacity: 116
Fall height: 2,85 m
Safety area: 108,7 m2 - Tags
- Play, Playground, Rope, Slide, Climbing, Balance, Hanging, Socialize, Equality, Play Value, Apple, New York
- Production Technology
- The ropes are formed by 6 strands of galvanized wires and a core either steel or fiber. Each strand is tightly braided with polyester which is adhered to galvanized wires with a patented method. With the patented tensioning system of ropes, stretching process is performed from outside providing an easier assembly. Metal parts are comprised of st 37 steel with a 3 step metal finish sandblasting and solvent free zinc primer coating, electrostatic powder paint application.
- Design Challenge
- In the design of New York, the hardest part was to capture apple shape and make the cover interchangeable. Also adapting the design with all the materials, the company can provide was another obstacle on our parts. Using bend shapes quite often usually created problems in the production of design but our design team came though it with hard work and research. The biggest challenge was to insert a 3d rope inside the construction and create a safety measured product for children to play in.
- Project Duration
- The project exhibited in Atrax fair in Istanbul, Turkey. The exhibition was held in January 2024.
The project exhibited in Fsb in Cologne, Germany. The exhibition was held in October 2023. - Operation Flow
- With its circular shape and easily reachable play stations, kids can decide to play from any side of the product. The first interaction happens with climbing and balance stations or children can choose to start climbing the three-dimensional rope inside the sphere. The two dimensional rope that surrounds the sphere can function as climbing and resting. If children look up, they will come across colorful and half transparent polycarbonate panels where they can play light and role playing games.
- Research
- Playgrounds have tremendous effects on the physical, social, and psychological improvement of children. To create the best environment for children various research has been done to ensure they would come across the safest conditions as well as develop their physical and social skills. Investigations have been made between the ages of 2 to 12, to understand the behaviors of children better and design the best playground they would be comfortable to play in while enhancing their experience.
- Inspiration
- New York is a play unit that aims to offer children many ways of fun with its distinctive form and colours. The product consists of several rope climbing components and polycarbonate panels with a New York silhouette. The idea is to make kids feel as if they were in an apple while engaging an activity that is full of excitement.
- Image Credits
- Cemer Playground Equipments
- Patents
- Patented. TR14687. Cemer Kent Ekipmanlari.2016
Patented. EP17862868.1. Cemer Kent Ekipmanlari.2021
Patent Pending. TR012672. Cemer Kent Ekipmanlari.2021
Colors of New York Play Unit
Design Interview about New York Play Unit
The main principle behind our design, "New York," is to provide children with a playful and engaging environment inspired by the iconic imagery of New York City. The idea stemmed from creating a structure that not only offers physical challenges through climbing elements but also stimulates imaginative play with its thematic design.
Our main focus in designing this work was to blend the unique shape and colors of an apple, symbolizing New York City, with functional play elements that enhance children's physical and cognitive development. We aimed to achieve a design that encourages active play, improves motor skills, and fosters creativity through role-playing opportunities.
Our future plans for this award-winning design include exploring opportunities to partner with playground equipment distributors worldwide to bring the "New York Play Unit" to more parks, schools, and public spaces. We aim to expand its availability and impact by catering to diverse global markets.
The design process for this concept spanned approximately 12 months, from initial ideation and concept development to prototype testing and final adjustments based on user feedback and safety assessments.
We designed this concept based on our own inspiration to create a thematic play structure that pays homage to New York City's cultural significance, particularly its association with the Big Apple symbolism. This design was internally driven rather than commissioned, aiming to innovate within the playground equipment sector.
As Cemer Playground Equipments, we are manufacturing the design ourselves.
We chose to design this particular type of play unit to offer children a distinctive and memorable play experience inspired by one of the world's most recognizable cities. The apple shape, synonymous with New York, serves as a creative focal point that merges thematic design with functional play elements.
While the initial concept was developed internally, we consulted with structural engineers, material specialists, and playground safety experts to ensure the design's feasibility, safety compliance, and durability. Their input was invaluable in refining the technical aspects of the "New York Play Unit."
The target customers for this design include municipalities, schools, parks, and developers seeking to enhance their recreational offerings with a visually striking and engaging play structure. It caters primarily to children aged 5 and above, promoting active play and imaginative exploration.
What sets the "New York Play Unit" apart is its thematic integration of the Big Apple motif, combined with robust climbing and interactive play features. The use of polycarbonate panels with a New York silhouette adds a unique visual element while allowing natural light to filter through, enhancing the play experience.
The name "New York" was chosen to evoke the iconic imagery and symbolism associated with the city, particularly the concept of the Big Apple. It aims to resonate with both children and adults familiar with New York City's cultural identity.
We utilized a variety of design tools including CAD software for 3D modeling, structural analysis tools for safety assessments, and simulation software to test the structural integrity and durability of the materials used.
The most unique aspect of our design is the incorporation of a three-dimensional climbing net inside a spherical structure, mimicking the shape of an apple. This design feature not only challenges children physically but also encourages imaginative play within a thematic urban environment.
We collaborated extensively with our in-house design team, which includes engineers specializing in structural design, materials science experts, and playground safety consultants. Their technical expertise ensured that the "New York Play Unit" met stringent safety standards and design specifications.
Technology plays a critical role in enhancing the durability and safety of the "New York Play Unit." Advanced materials such as galvanized wires with patented tensioning systems, polycarbonate panels for transparency and impact resistance, and stainless steel components for structural support were integral to its construction.
Our design was influenced by extensive research into playground safety standards, child development principles, and urban design aesthetics. We conducted data-driven research to optimize the play experience, ensuring that each element promotes physical activity and cognitive development in children.
Some challenges we faced during the design and realization of our concept included integrating the complex three-dimensional climbing net within the spherical structure while maintaining safety and aesthetic integrity. Additionally, ensuring the apple-shaped cover was interchangeable and durable posed manufacturing challenges.
We decided to submit our design to international design competitions like the A' Design Awards to gain global recognition, showcase our innovative approach to playground design, and benchmark ourselves against industry peers on an international stage.
Through the process of designing the "New York Play Unit," we learned valuable lessons in material science, structural engineering, and user-centered design. We improved our capabilities in integrating thematic elements with functional play features, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and play value.
One additional point worth mentioning is our commitment to sustainability. We aim to explore eco-friendly materials and production processes in future iterations of this design, aligning with global trends towards environmental responsibility in manufacturing.