Ştiri Playtop

Playtop Helps to Shape the School of the Future

Hellerup School is a new build in Copenhagen that is said to have set the standard for future school design. Insemo did the installation on tarmac designed by award-winning architect, Arkitema, that have created an exciting and adventurous play area outside the School that complimented the open and free flowing area inside.
 
The School was designed in such a way that it would allow children the freedom to be creative and learn in an unrestrictive environment and it's hoped that it will set the standard for future school design.  Children and pupils take off their shoes at the entrance to the school so that they can make full use of all the areas.

The area outside the school is a multi-functional play area that was designed to allow pupils of all ages to explore the space and encourage a sense of adventure.  Originally, the asphalt hills, which cover an area of 300 square metres, were simply painted but as it rained it became extremely slippery and therefore unsafe for the pupils to use.  Asphalt is also prone to cracking which made the area look unsightly, and so a different material was required.

Playtop was chosen as the desired surface and the existing design of coloured contoured hills were replicated. At the bottom of each a drainage hole was installed with special tops that could be easily removed so the drains could be cleaned when required.  The finished surface now offers a long lasting and very durable play area for bikers as well as children on foot.

The architect for the original project, Arkitema, was awarded a prize from the Association for the Beautification of the Capital, which presents prizes each year for buildings that are considered to make Copenhagen more beautiful.

Line Arnmark, the financial administrative leader at Hellerup School said:  "The original concept of the hills was to make a creative and different outside space, where children of all ages and different levels of ability would be able to use their body in a new and different way.

"First it was decided that the hills should be painted, but unfortunately the asphalt started to crack and certainly did not represent our ideas of a "new" play area.

"Fortunately, we were made aware of Playtop's impact-absorbing surface and felt that it would be the ideal solution to our problem.  Now all the hills are covered with Playtop in the beautiful colours that represent our school - yellow, red and blue and our pupils are super happy with the result. They play on the hills in every break time and any other opportunity they get.

"Playtop has carried out a fantastic and professional job and we would not hesitate to recommend or use them again for other projects."

More details of the project can be seen at www.insemo.dk