THE PIPEFISH

WHERE: 
New York City, USA - 2018

COLLABORATION:
MVVA - Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

CUSTOMER: 
Hudsen River Park Trust

 

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Hudson River Park is the longest riverfront park in the United States, which has transformed the urban landscape of Manhattan’s West side into a beloved, urban recreational area.  Attracting 17 million visits each year, the Park offers many activities for locals and tourists and plays a critical role in protecting the Hudson River environment itself. The Chelsea Waterside Park is part of the larger area of Hudson River Park. It underwent extensive renovation in 2016 and MONSTRUM was asked to design an iconic playground interpreting the life of the river.

The pipefish monstrum playground manhatten new york

The playground is designed to fit the challenging terrain of the park. A playground of different heights gives a more dramatic effect to the design and adds play value.

Pipefish monstrum chelsea waterside park playground

The pipefish is a 35 meter long construction that twists and turns its way around the 7 meter tall tower. 

GO UP DOWN INSIDE OUTSIDE

Pipefish monstrum chelsea waterside park playground

THE TWISTS AND TURNS OF THE PIPEFISH

The concept of the playground is inspired by the fauna of the Hudson River, as the Chelsea Waterside Park is placed by the Manhattan waterfront. The imaginative underwater universe is designed to inspire kids to climb, balance, swing and slide.  

The main element of the playground design is the fascinating pipefish, which is a peculiar mix between a seahorse and an eel. The playful and charming creature adds personality to the playground and invites people of all ages to come closer and explore the atypical construction. 

Bollards are often seen along the riverfront covered with algae. At the playground, the bollard towers are 23 feet tall with a slide attached, which leads you down to the oysters in a large sandbox area. This part of the playground is designed for toddlers. Seaweed made out of wooden trunks is placed around the area of the playground for the kids to climb across.

Pipefish monstrum playground sketch drawing plan overblik view

DON’T FORGET  TO LOOK UP

Pipefish monstrum playground bollards mozaik window wooden planks

At the top of the bollard towers, kids can discover this steel pattern interpreting the grains in the wooden structure.

Pipefish monstrum playground inside wooden planks

The structure of the pipefish is designed with a wide gap between the boards to create a beautiful play of light when the sun shines through. The design also enables parents to interact with their kids through the gaps. 

monstrum playground pipefish manhatten new york chelsea waterside park
MONSTRUM oyster pipefish chelsea waterside park playground

Across from the pipefish and towers, you'll find a sandbox area for the smaller kids with a big oyster with a pearl inside. 

MONSTRUM playground pipefish sketch

The project is made in collaboration with MVVA Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, with whom we've been working since 2014. 

MONSTRUM playground pipefish sketch
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