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Play Space Design Competition: Space for Childhood on Winning Team!

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March 17, 2016

The Community Design Collaborative, in partnership with the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC), is pleased to announce the three winners in its Play Space Design Competition.

Designers, educators, and play advocates worked collaboratively to re-imagine three public locations in Philadelphia as innovative play spaces. Nine finalists, selected from among forty submissions, presented their designs last night at the Academy of Natural Sciences. An earlier jury who chose the finalists, a “Community Choice” ballot at the competition sites, and a final round of judging revealed our winning Play Space Design Competition entries and their teams.

The competition released a global call for entries in September after identifying three locations to serve as inspiration—a school, a library, and a recreation center in Philadelphia. Forty interdisciplinary teams responded with innovative play space designs to fit the needs of the surrounding community. Five countries and eleven US states were represented.

“This competition lifts up the idea that we can recreate city spaces… and give people a place to dream, to love, to learn a sport, to move communities together.”

The design competition’s completion comes at an exciting time for Philadelphia. Mayor Jim Kenney recently announced a $500 million capital campaign to improve public libraries, parks, and playgrounds throughout the city. Michael DeBerardinis, Managing Director and a long time advocate for Philadelphia’s parks and playgrounds, underscored the value of these spaces for the city, “This competition lifts up the idea that we can recreate city spaces… and give people a place to dream, to love, to learn a sport, to move communities together.”

“Tonight, we are here to celebrate where design comes into play,” said Beth Miller, executive director of the Community Design Collaborative. “The power of play space in the community and its impact on early childhood development is becoming an issue that is facing all cities in the US and, for that matter, around the globe.”

See the Play Space Design Awards conversation on Storify and learn more about the competition winners at http://cdesignc.org/playspace/competition/winners.

Winning entry:

WATERLOO RECREATION CENTER | PHILADELPHIA PARKS AND RECREATION
Waterloo Rebosante

Roofmeadow
Studio Ludo
Space for Childhood

Inspiration:

Waterloo está, REBOSANTE de actividad, REBOSANTE de vida, REBOSANTE de alegría 
Waterloo is bustling with activity, brimming with life, overflowing with joy

We believe that the energy of the Norris Square community is the reason that the Waterloo Recreation Center exists today. Given its history, nothing is more important than the care, devotion and life that neighbors have already infused into this place. As we re-imagine the future design of Waterloo, we seek both to honor and support the people who are its heart and soul and to create lasting connections with nature and play.

During our design process, five elements inspired us: community, play, water, nature and re-use. By weaving together the diverse rhythms and energy of each, we created a place that celebrates the community of which it is an integral part.

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Our Mission

Our mission is to help educators and parents create nature-inspired learning environments and experiences for young children.


We believe that there are endless learning opportunities and health benefits available to children in natural environments. Children need adults who have a personal sense of wonder and who are willing to explore. An intentionally planned nature playscape at school or at home can support children’s natural curiosity and improve their imagination, creativity and problem solving skills.

Testimonials

Eileen Kupersmith's passion for 'the outdoor classroom' helped our school visualize an innovative design for a new preschool playground. Her dedication and perseverance to the project helped propel our plans forward with a clear vision. We couldn't have done this without her! I have already recommended Eileen to two other schools!
— Daena Berdougo, Director, Gwynedd Friends School
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