Q + A with Lead Designer Alberto

We’ve rounded up the most frequently asked questions when it comes to designing playgrounds. Here’s the lowdown from Austek Play’s Lead Designer Alberto:

1. How long have you worked in the playground industry?
“I’ve been working in the Playground Industry since 2018”

2. What do you see trending in playground design at the moment?
“There is a growing emphasis on creating playgrounds that are not only environmentally friendly but also promote sustainable practices. So, the trends are moving toward eco-friendly materials, incorporating green technologies, and designing spaces that encourage environmental stewardship with adults and children alike. Moreover, creating more inclusive spaces for the communities focusing on accessible playgrounds is extremely important to foster young minds’ wellbeing”

3. What are some important features to consider when designing a playground?
“When we design a playground, we always consider our audience and environment as one entity. It’s important for us, to tailor the equipment and activities to maximise the play area and to think about the value and type of experience we want the children to get.

All our playgrounds follow the basic principle from the Everyone Can Play guidelines. We pride ourselves on designing inclusive and accessible playgrounds so that every child can play safely and have fun alone or with their peers”

4. In your experience how has the industry changed over the years and what are your predictions for future playground design?
“Over the years, the industry seems to have shifted to a more natural material/shapes approach in and around play spaces. Gardens are no longer an embellishment to nearby areas but can be used as active natural play zones for children to interact with nature.

Logs, rocks, creeks and sand/messy play are fundamental steps for young minds to develop correctly and harmoniously. Risky play is a factor that is now recognised and accepted around playgrounds as a pillar value to help kids develop self-esteem and confidence”

5. What’s your favourite type of product right now?
“Personally, I love climbing structures. Ropes structures, like our Activity Boxes and Bouldering climbers are, in my opinion, extremely important and fun to use in playgrounds, as they offer different levels of challenge for users of all ages, but also can transform themselves into social places, gathering areas where kids and teens can talk, rest, relax and connect”

6. How do you design for inclusivity and accessibility?
“To design an inclusive space, we look at the different activities that can be incorporated within easy reach of less able people and by granting clearly defined access to the equipment without barriers.

We strive to create different zones where children with various needs can find rest from loud noises, pause and restart and other areas where they can interact with their peers without limitations. Providing pathways with no obstacles and clean surfaces is another great way to ensure fun for everyone without restricting areas of interaction and play”

7. What’s involved in your role in the design process?
“My role focuses on designing play spaces that are in line with client expectations and requests, based on the area available and guidelines given. We prepare the space layout ensuring that all equipment is compliant with the Australian Standards. Afterwards, we prepare visual representations and 2D site layouts to deliver to our clients, showcasing the selected equipment and how it fits with its surrounding areas”

8. What is play value and how do you incorporate it into playground design?
“When talking about Play Value, we generally refer to the benefits that an environment, equipment or object provides to a child’s play experience. High Play Value means children can engage in different activities and expand their ideas starting from it, like playing with a box, a den, a piece of play equipment, etc. Play Value is generally divided into 3 main categories: Physical Play, Sensory Play and Social Play. Countless studies have proven that all 3 types of play are crucial for children’s development and enjoyment. When we design our playgrounds, we try to include a mix of the above to create a more engaging and stimulating play experience”

9. How do you collaborate with Landscape Architects with their design projects?
“At Austek Play we pride ourselves on offering our knowledge and expertise while we engage with other professionals, such as Landscape Architects. We can work seamlessly with them on overall concepts, providing feedback and files so that different types of equipment can be tested on the site to see which suits best for their project. We can also assist with interactive digital solutions to customise their requests, being a particular type of custom equipment or a specific colour scheme they could have in mind for their project. I truly enjoy interacting with other like-minded professionals and working on a different challenge to solve together”

10. What do your kids gravitate to in the playground? Any favourite equipment?
“My children generally like to explore every single piece of equipment whenever we visit a new playground. Try them all at first, discarding the ones they deemed “too easy” and setting their sights, usually, on the one that offers them an increasing challenge (climbing structures with rewarding slides at the end of it!) or the one that gives them thrills and excitements, like cable rides. Swings, particularly basket swings, are always a great go-to when they are tired or want to play together with other children or towards the end when they are tired (but not tired enough to leave, just yet)”.