BUGA Havel Region 2015 – Brandenburg – Marienberg


With the brisk participation of children and adolescents during a model-making workshop, a myriad of interesting and amusing variations on playground proposals put forth by Brandenburg schools came to light. One of these ideas envisioned a large dragon that would guard the treasure of Marienberg mountain. This idea was invoked as the leading figure for further planning by the landscape design office of Geskes & Hack in Berlin.
During the “red dragon” model building process (conducted by Zimmer.Obst) and its presentation to the children’s committee, the BUGA organizers and the city of Brandenburg, the “dragon” idea was able to get launched and take shape.
Brandenburg-based Zimmer.Obst GmbH was commissioned with the further planning and the manufacturing of the play equipment for Marienberg.
In close cooperation with Geskes & Hack, and in consultation with the Berlin-based expert for play equipment safety, Dr. Eckstein, the abstract climbing landscape “red dragon” was developed. It encompasses large, red spiral tube slides, a fully-accessible, climbable balancing structure made of various height-differentiated levels and platforms, netting and ropes, as well as a disc-balancing course that puts highest demands on the children’s motor skills.
The entire Marienberg Playground is laid out topographically in an ascending manner, with terrace-like areas that have been created using different ground coverings. These vary depending upon the surface demands but also in color. This results in sandy, rocky and wood mulch areas, as well as areas featuring fall-protection rubber granules, all located next to beautiful and densely wooded areas. Since it was stipulated that practically the entire stock of trees was to be maintained, a playground sculpture was created that winds and worms its way through the trees.