2024-05-04T23:01:23-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150167729/risk-averse-design-what-would-aldo-van-eyck-think-of-playgrounds-today Katherine Guimapang 2019-11-01T10:28:00-04:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/cb/cb043046ec0fd478b15086255bef4202.gif" border="0" /><p>Going to the park and playing in the playground is a memorable childhood past time. However, with the increase of&nbsp;<a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/62198666/are-playgrounds-too-safe" target="_blank">risk-averse design</a>, have these beloved spaces for children to frolic, climb, and fall become too dull for children?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/oct/31/were-cosseting-our-kids-the-war-against-todays-dangerously-dull-playgrounds-wellcome" target="_blank">Oliver Wainwright of the&nbsp;<em>Guardian</em></a>&nbsp;addresses an excellent perspective towards these "risk-averse" play areas, outlining how "architects are taking issue with risk-averse playgrounds full of sluggish roundabouts and tiny climbing frames."&nbsp;</p> <p>Regarding this specific subject, it's difficult not to think of Aldo van Eyck and his iconic playground designs found throughout Amsterdam. The famed Dutch architect played a pivotal role in transforming Amsterdam's playground landscape for children after World War II.&nbsp;</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/91/91fe2b6ffaaf78bc9f28df2c3ef63b5a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/91/91fe2b6ffaaf78bc9f28df2c3ef63b5a.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Image &copy; Aldo van Eyck Archive / Amsterdam City Archive</figcaption></figure><figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/bd/bd662f5282d07ec5ab176eefa5f85702.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/bd/bd662f5282d07ec5ab176eefa5f85702.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Image courtesy of WikiCommons</figcaption></figure><p>Thanks to&nbsp;<a href="http://socks-studio.com/2018/02/11/human-structures-and-architectural-archetypes-aldo-van-eycks-playgrounds-1947-1978/" target="_blank">Mariabruna Fabrizi of SOCKS, her informative piece on van Eyck</a>&nbsp;analyzes details highlighting his 30 year research and its relevance to urban design for children. Fab...</p>