Playtopia Red Dunes / Xisui Design
year:
2023
Text description provided by the architects. This innovative design showcases undulating red dunes that create an attractive landscape for children’s activities. By seamlessly integrating functional structures into the natural terrain, the project evokes the magic of a mountain nest or a treehouse in the forest.
Using advanced design techniques such as parameterized design, drainage optimization simulations, and structural form finding algorithms, the Red Dunes project harmoniously blends outdoor space with its natural surroundings. It aims to inspire both children and adults to indulge in the joy of outdoor play and exploration.
Parametric terrain design. Through the digital generation, the terrain is designed to suit the complexity and steepness of the terrain, providing distinct areas for different age groups. The children’s activity facilities blend seamlessly with the natural environment to form a cohesive space.
The digital account of natural exchange. Accurate calculations and simulations ensured a comprehensive natural drainage system existed, managing rainwater flow effectively despite the undulating terrain. This innovative approach eliminates the need for surface drainage outlets, allowing rainwater to circulate naturally into the green spaces and peak drainage outlets.
concrete shell structure. The project presents a unique challenge of form and structure with its undulating concrete structure. It mimics the topography of a cave-like landscape, offering climbing spaces above and sheltered areas below. Inspired by the load-shifting mechanism of natural arches, the design allows for large spans and ultra-thin structural thickness. By integrating with the landscape, it enhances the visual coherence of the artificial structure, reduces the presence of columns, and improves spatial efficiency.
Practicing physical competence and sustainable ideals. Concrete, with its advantages in terms of formability, cost-effectiveness, and practicality, has become a major trend in green architecture and the development of future organic structures. The concrete shell structure in this project combines large spans with very thin structural thicknesses. Through mechanical calculations and modeling analysis, material savings were achieved compared to conventional beam-column structures, with approximately two-thirds reduction in raw material utilization for the same period.
The rolling red dunes provide space for children to run, jump and roll while incorporating a variety of functional children’s activity facilities into the terrain. Thanks to innovative design techniques and advanced technologies, such as terrain design, digital computation of natural drainage, and the use of a unique concrete structure, the project harmoniously blends functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. It aims to inspire users of all ages to embrace outdoor play and exploration while fostering a strong connection to the natural elements around.
(tags for translation)Architecture