Werkelkueche Speelding by Christine Oehme

Werkelkueche Speelding by Christine Oehme is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award in Goud in Baba-, Kleuter- en Kinderprodukte Ontwerp Competition Category.

GoudBabaprodukte· 2021

Werkelkueche Speelding

by Christine Oehme

Client: Christine Oehme

A' Design Award in Goud Winner in Babaprodukte Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Werkelkueche Speelding

Die Werkelkueche is 'n geslag-oop aktiwiteit werkstasie wat kinders in staat stel om hulself in vrye speelwêrelde te verdiep. Dit kombineer die formele en estetiese kenmerke van kinderkombuise en werkbanke. Daarom bied die Werkelkueche uiteenlopende speelmoontlikhede. Die geboë laaghout-werkblad kan as 'n wasbak, werkswinkel of ski-helling gebruik word. Die kantkompartemente kan stoor- en wegkruipplek bied of bros rolletjies bak. Met behulp van die kleurvolle en verwisselbare gereedskap kan kinders hul idees verwesenlik en die wêreld van volwassenes op 'n speelse manier naboots.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Goud

Werkelkueche Speelding is 'n wenner van die A' Design Award in Goud, 'n geweldig prestigieuse erkenning wat toegeken word aan eersteklas-, wonderlike en uitstaande ontwerpe. Wenners in Goud is uiters innoverende, visionêre en glansryk verblindende skeppings wat die vernuf, wysheid en bekwaamheid van hul ontwerpers weerspieël. Daar word verwag dat Werkelkueche Speelding 'n hoogs geprese, tendensskeppende en monumentale uitvinding is wat ongekende waarde lewer. Hierdie ontwerp wat die A' Design Award in Goud gewen het, is 'n skouspelagtige, gerespekteerde projek wat die grense van kuns, wetenskap, ontwerp en tegnologie in hoë mate bevoordeel en uitbrei. Werkelkueche Speelding wek intense gevoelens van begeerte, roep passie op, moedig kreatiwiteit aan en boei ons.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The ”Werkelkueche” is a gender-open activity workstation for children. It combines the formal and aesthetic features of children's kitchens and workbenches and thus opens up playful possibilities that are beyond gender stereotypes. The curved worktop can be a sink and a ski slope. The side compartments offer storage space or can bake crispy rolls. The interchangeable tools allow children to realize their ideas and imitate the adult world.
Dimensions & Packaging: 710mmx440mm780mm
Tags: children, kids, toy, gendersensitiv, kitchen, workbench, play, moulded wood, sheet steel
Production Technology: The worktop of the ”Werkelkueche” is made of thermally deformable birch plywood from UPM. This material allowed me to give the rigid wood a soft, deep groove. This material is in optical and haptic contrast to the powder-coated sheet steel on the front and rear walls.
Design Challenge: The challenge in the conceptual work was the fusion of existing toys and their design opposites. I wanted to make a design that was recognizable and at the same time completely new. From a technical point of view, the thermal deformation of the birch plywood was a particular challenge. After several weeks of experimentation, I had found the right bend angle and also a way to connect this countertop to the rest of the pieces.
Research: Expert interviews and surveys with parents, the influence of gender in children's worlds, five qualitative interviews with educators and leaders, survey with over 900 individual answers, gender plays a subordinate role in children themselves up to the age of three, but from the point of pregnancy a clear distinction is made between male and female through the social environment, clothing and objects, parents want more so-called gender-neutral things
Inspiration: The world of children is actually colorful, loud and diverse. But this children's world is often divided into gender stereotypical roles: the clothes are either pink or blue, in the toy department mystical fighting ninjas ”for boys” and cute dolls ”for girls” are sold. This suggests to even the youngest children what social images and expectations are placed on girls or boys.
Project Duration: The project started in June 2020 with extensive research with parents and social workers. I developed the Werkelkueche as part of my bachelor thesis at the Berlin University of the Arts. The project was completed in December 2020.
Operation Flow: The ”Werkelkueche” is an open-ended, intuitive play space for children. There the world of adults can be imitated in a playful way, conflicts can be negotiated and security gained: Who am I and how does it feel to slip into another role? These experiences are an essential part of the child’s self-identity.
Patents: Registered Design. No. 402020204285-0001. Christine Oehme. 2021
Image Credits: Image #1: Manuel Meinhardt, Werkelkueche, 2020
Image #2: Manuel Meinhardt, Werkelkueche, 2020
Image #3: Manuel Meinhardt, Werkelkueche, 2020
Image #4: Manuel Meinhardt, Werkelkueche, 2020
Image #5: Manuel Meinhardt, Werkelkueche, 2020