SAGA - A Healing Journey Through Play
SAGA - A Healing Journey Through Play
Introducing the SAGA playground: a wheelchair-friendly, and inclusive playground that blends rehabilitation and learning into a landscape inspired by Icelandic nature. Located at the Bodil Eskesen Center in Glostrup, the playground empowers children with brain and spinal cord injuries to develop their abilities through play and sensory experience..
Introducing the SAGA playground: a wheelchair-friendly, and inclusive playground that blends rehabilitation and learning into a landscape inspired by Icelandic nature. Located at the Bodil Eskesen Center in Glostrup, the playground empowers children with brain and spinal cord injuries to develop their abilities through play and sensory experience..
INDUSTRY
Public Health
CLIENT
Rigshospitalet
SERVICE AND OFFER
Storytelling
Prototyping
User Inclusion
Funding Strategy
Concept Development
DATE
June 2022
PROBLEM
In Copenhagen, only 3% of playgrounds are handicap-friendly, resulting in unequal play opportunities for children with disabilities. This lack of inclusivity prevents many children from enjoying play and its developmental benefits.
SOLUTION
We addressed this issue through collaboration with medical experts, researchers, and users in order to understand their position. In close dialogue with Saga, a Danish/Icelandic girl who suffered a severe brain injury at age 9, we learned about her challenges and needs. Incorporating her experiences, we developed the SAGA playground, a space designed for children with disabilities, featuring a magical path inspired by wild Icelandic nature with integrated rehabilitation elements.
VALUE DELIVERED
The SAGA playground provides a functional and meaningful space where children with disabilities can engage in play and sensory experiences. The immersive environment includes sensory and playful elements, such as sparkling lights inside a central volcano, steam-emitting geysers, and accessible sandboxes and swings. This inclusive design improves their abilities through enjoyable activities, promoting their well-being and development through sensory-rich, playful experiences.
APPROACH
APPROACH
To fully understand users' needs, we facilitated an immersive co-creation workshop with patients and caregivers. Using a user-centered design approach, we identified the need for spaces offering escape from the hospital and mental relaxation. We conducted a creative workshop with Saga to explore hospital challenges and designed a game to help health professionals understand our potential contributions. This ensured active participation, empathy, and collaboration, directly influencing the playground's design.
To fully understand users' needs, we facilitated an immersive co-creation workshop with patients and caregivers. Using a user-centered design approach, we identified the need for spaces offering escape from the hospital and mental relaxation. We conducted a creative workshop with Saga to explore hospital challenges and designed a game to help health professionals understand our potential contributions. This ensured active participation, empathy, and collaboration, directly influencing the playground's design.
FINAL RESULTS
FINAL RESULTS
The design process resulted in an immersive playground inspired by Icelandic landscapes, featuring a wheelchair-accessible volcano, sparkling lights, steam-emitting geysers, and sustainable elements like waterfalls. Enhanced with tall grass and flowers, the playground ensures accessibility with flat swings and partially open playhouses. The project achieved 1 million DKK in funding from the Simon Fougner Hartmann Family Foundation and is now complete at the Bodil Eskesen Center, Glostrup Hospital, as of Summer 2024, providing an inclusive space for all children to play, learn and thrive.
The design process resulted in an immersive playground inspired by Icelandic landscapes, featuring a wheelchair-accessible volcano, sparkling lights, steam-emitting geysers, and sustainable elements like waterfalls. Enhanced with tall grass and flowers, the playground ensures accessibility with flat swings and partially open playhouses. The project achieved 1 million DKK in funding from the Simon Fougner Hartmann Family Foundation and is now complete at the Bodil Eskesen Center, Glostrup Hospital, as of Summer 2024, providing an inclusive space for all children to play, learn and thrive.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
SPECIAL THANKS TO