Based on visual arts and design, MONSTRUM create playgrounds that are not only full of physical challenges but that inspire kids to play by providing an adventurous scene, where there is space for the imagination. The designs of MONSTRUM’s playgrounds are based on stories.

Playgrounds must first and foremost inspire children to play and challenge their motor skills as well as their imagination, but MONSTRUM’s distinctive creations are more than just playgrounds. They are sculptures in the urban landscape, telling stories and bringing a smile to peoples’ faces.

They become landmarks in their surroundings, causing both children and adults to talk about “meeting by the giant jellyfish.” Why play on a climbing frame if you can play in a space rocket, a submarine, a giant snail’s house, a clown’s head, or a Trojan horse?

MONSTRUM has a dedicated team of architects, designers, and craftsmen with a passion for bringing inspiring play value to kids. There are just as many adults as kids on a playground and our playgrounds engage teen siblings, parents, and passers-by.

The scenography of the playgrounds becomes a social platform, where all ages are entertained. We believe that great gathering places in cities - like playgrounds - can connect people across communities.

A good playground should inspire kids to move. The swing and the climbing frame are classic playground elements, where you can feel a sense of joy and a tickle in your stomach just from looking at it. But what makes a playground great is when kids are not able to figure it out at first glance. They have to explore it. When they are running or climbing through the playground, there is no one correct way of navigating. They have to consider various options and paths, assessing their motor skills and safety. This creates continuous movement and a lot of fun.

A playground can be an essential part of childhood, inspiring and reflecting the challenges of the physical world. It is a place where you meet new friends and develop your ability to socialize with other kids. And equally important, it is time spent away from screens getting your pulse up.

A playground’s appearance in the urban landscape has become a valued part of city planning today. We would also like it to become an icon and a social meeting place in the community. The playground should be a magnet that attracts kids and adults walking by, causing them to think: “Wow! I want to spend time there with my child.”

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS & PROCESSES

The production of long-lasting wooden playgrounds is at the core of MONSTRUM’s sustainability policy. Wood is a renewable natural resource and is warm to the touch. We endeavor to create playgrounds that can be enjoyed by future generations while taking care of the environment.

We value environmentally friendly and sustainable production methods throughout our supply chain.

All MONSTRUM playgrounds are produced at our workshop in Denmark, where we carefully select materials. Our team selects only high-quality, fit-for-purpose materials that meet relevant safety standards and take environmental factors into consideration.

Our playground equipment is made of sustainable timber, including FSC-certified Siberian Larch, PEFC-certified Duraply, and Robinia sourced from sustainable forestry operations in Europe. For large constructions, we also use galvanized and stainless steel.

We paint our playground equipment with water-based wood protection, known as ‘Flügger Wood Tex’. This paint is certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, which ensures it contains fewer harmful substances and fewer substances with health effects than other paints.

At MONSTRUM, we seek to create thrilling playgrounds for all ages and abilities.

Our approach to designing a playground incorporates accessibility in a forward-thinking manner, facilitating inclusive gathering places for all, first and foremost.

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Good communication is an important factor in achieving the best design and end result. From the first inquiry, every project will be managed by one of our architects, ensuring that all ambitions for the project are met and accommodating the best process possible.

The following is taken into consideration at the outset of the project:

• What are the main ambitions?
• What story should be told at the playground?
• Is there a timeframe for the project?
• How do we ensure play value?
• Who is the playground for?
• What is the target age group?
• Are there any specific requests for play equipment, sizes, colors, etc.?
• How big is the area?
• What is the budget?

BRAINSTORMING
Brainstorming is the first step in developing a concept and theme for the playground. In this part of the process it is important to see possibilities instead of obstacles to ensure the best and most creative solution. The brainstorm will be based on the information, thoughts and ideas acquired from the customer. These ideas will be converted to sketches and finally, one concept is selected for further sketching.
 

CONCEPTUAL & VISUAL SKETCHING
The next step is to expand the selected concept and be more specific in the design. The visual appearance will be further developed and play features and routes will be added. In this phase, the design will be sketched in 3D. We deliver a presentation of the playground that will then be adapted in collaboration with the customer. 
 

DETAILING
Details will be adjusted and added. The safety of the design is examined and elements like colours, proportions and play value will be discussed and, if necessary, corrected in collaboration with the customer.

After approval of the design, the elements are made producible by our technical designers. This includes planning of the foundations.

At MONSTRUM, the whole process – from design to construction and final painting – is executed under one roof at our office and workshop in Copenhagen, Denmark. This simplifies communication, limits mistakes, and makes it easy to correct, modify or add details to the design during construction.

Production time varies depending on the scope of the project and production capacity with an estimated 4 months from the completion of technical drawings to shipping.

Before the playground leaves the workshop, it will be certified according to the appropriate safety standards EN 1176/77 or ASTM depending on the target market.

All playground elements are designed and built to fit the relevant means of transportation - either by truck, open flatbed, or shipping containers. Very large elements will be shipped in parts and reassembled on-site.

To ensure a smooth shipping process, we work with BlueWater Shipping – a global provider of all logistics services in modern supply chain management. BlueWater is an organization of professionals, skilled in providing complete and tailor-made solutions for any shipping requirement anywhere in the world.

We also offer supervision of the installation. Our team are hands-on in the process and will collaborate with local contractors. The preparations prior to and during installation will be planned and further details will be decided on in collaboration with the customer.

All of our playgrounds have a warranty of 5 years, meaning defect parts due to manufacturing or material defects will be replaced or repaired free of charge within 5 years of delivery.

Wood is a natural material meaning that some cracks or splits due to weather and season changes must be expected and these do not affect the structural integrity. This condition will not be covered by the warranty.

The warranty does not cover in cases where the product has not been maintained according to our maintenance manual. Defects or damage that result from improper use, storage, misuse or abuse, wear, tear or vandalism are excluded from coverage.

All our playground equipment meets the requirements specified in EN 1176/77 or ASTM (the European and American safety standards for playgrounds).

MONSTRUM have thorough knowledge of the regulations and the usual interpretations. To keep focus on safety from the initial ideas to the completed installed playground, several of our designers and builders are qualified Playground Inspectors.

To ensure a high level of safety, we collaborate with Nordic Playground Institute, who are Europe’s leading institute for playground safety and risk assessment. All playgrounds are certified according to EN1176 or ASTM before they leave MONSTRUM.

After installation of the playground, MONSTRUM will provide a maintenance manual based on the safety standards including security checkpoints, materials used and colour codes. The playgrounds are made of simple materials and are easy to maintain by local craftsmen. All wood used has a natural strength and resistance to weather effects and requires a minimum of maintenance. If the playground is re-painted after 10 years, it will look like new again.