What is the Ruoholahti playground?
The Ruoholahti playground is a computer disguised as a public park. It teaches the big concepts of computer science through imaginative physical play structures (like an input/output machine you can crawl inside of) and with a curriculum for educators.
Why did you make it?
I wanted to give children full-body experience of how computers work, and to make abstract computing ideas tangible, accessible, and delightful for children. It’s how I wish I had learned about computers - barefoot, curious, and with others.
Who or what inspired you?
It was a joyful mix of thinkers from computer science, soft urbanism and play: Seymour Papert taught me that children think with their fingers. John Maeda and Taeyoon Choi showed how even a computer can be made of cardboard or dumplings. I borrowed color and creature from Florentijn Hofman, scaffolding from Montessori, and space from Reggio Emilia. And Alexandra Lange reminded me cities can play too. (I also created an Are.na channel to store ideas for future playground projects!)