About the project

The new concept for the outdoor and indoor playing facilities of the attraction was developed in close cooperation with the promoters of the North Sea Oceanarium.

The purpose of the project was to ensure that the basic common thread of the museum (the nature and culture of the North Sea) and the stories told on the exhibition are carried over and reflected in the playing areas.

The objective of the playground is to integrate it as a part of the other exhibitions of the museum.
In connection with the development of the concept for the learning and playing area at the North Sea Oceanarium, it was necessary to identify the educational visions and practical requirements that the area should meet.

The questions that arose were:
- How big is the need for recreational areas for the families with children?
- What should the balance be between the presentation of subject-related issues and a break/time-out?
- How can this be combined with motoric challenges?
- How can the playground be developed for such presentation?
- What is the best way to integrate the playground with the other family recreational areas?
- Which areas at the museum are suitable for the project?
- What are the educational visions?
- Can the playground form part of the presentation for the adults?
- How big is the budget?

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The Sperm Whale at the North Sea Oceanarium

The sperm whale is the first stage of the North Sea Oceanarium playground.
The sperm whale has been the focal point of many exciting stories through times. From the bible story about Jonas and the Whale to the stories on Moby Dick and Pinocchio. Here you can make your own stories about the sperm whale, while at the same time you get an actual impression of the whale without being bored.

On the inside, the whale is decorated with drawings of the internal organs and a whale foetus. On one side of the whale there is a large opening where you can see whale’s white ribs. The ribs are shaped like something in between ribs and the frame timber on a submarine.
The whale is fitted with ladders, stairs and other climbing possibilities. You can climb all the way to whale’s nose and you can look out through the eyes of the whale.
The whale can be entered through the mouth across the teeth.

On the outside, the whale is equipped with climbing grips. Furthermore, there are small holes on the side of the whale that can be used for both climbing and as peepholes. A 250 cm double slide goes down from the back of the whale to the fall surface.

Behind the whale, there is a broad wake band of coloured stones forming both easy and difficult the-ground-is-poisonous paths. The stones are made of oak wood.

The ropeway is approx. 21 m long. The stainless steel starting station is shaped like a wave.