”It is intended as a sanctuary for the children, where they can be surrounded by a playful, lush, and green landscape away from the hospital environment.”
Glostup Hospital – SAGA
Category
Location
Glostrup, Denmark
Contract period
2022-
Area
Construction cost
Image Credits
Kragh & Berglund designed and planned the SAGA playground for children with brain and spinal cord injuries at the Rigshospitalet’s Glostrup department.
The playground was developed in collaboration with a former patient, Saga, and is intended as a sanctuary for the children, where they can be surrounded by a playful, lush, and green landscape away from the hospital environment. At the same time, rehabilitation played a crucial role in the design of the playground, including how sensory activation could contribute to the patients’ development.
The playground is primarily divided into two main play areas: The Village and Misty Valley. The Village is located closest to the hospital and offers a rich selection of play elements that encourage social activities. The Misty Valley is more secluded and serves as a place for reflection and immersion. The two areas are connected by the mountain cave, creating a sensory transition in a play of light and darkness.
Accessibility was fundamental in shaping the playground, as it needed to be inclusive for all types of patients, including children in wheelchairs. Therefore, there has been a strong focus on the design of the playground, which also accommodates children in wheelchairs.
Natural and sensory features, such as large boulders and turf walls covered in moss, as well as hanging deciduous trees for touch, have been incorporated into the design.
Around the edge of the hilly landscape, water jets are strategically placed to maintain the wild nature and sustain the ecosystem. The water is collected in small hallows and drains as the source of the mist – inspired by the Icelandic geyser phenomenon – serving as a playful element that stimulates the children’s senses.
There is the opportunity to experience the mist from the hospital’s windows, providing a calming and immersive effect. Being able to see the mist will encourage children and families to venture into the fresh air to experience nature up close.
Want to learn more?
Contact Hans Kragh
hkr@kragh-berglund.dk
+45 81 72 74 53
