ecosistema urbano: energy producing kinetic carousel

ecosistema urbano: energy producing kinetic carousel
all images courtesy of ecosistema urbano

wanting to promote the possibilities for education through play, the ‘energy carousel’ by spanish architecture studio ecosistema urbano is an energy producing, fun object for people of all ages. designed to educate children about alternative energy methods – a 1:1 scale prototype has just been completed at the new governeursplein square in the city of dordrecht, the netherlands.

‘we believe that teaching children about alternative methods for generating electrical power through their own physical experiences sends a subtle message about the potential for a creative and more sustainable approach to urbanism’, says the designers.

built using efficient materials that help highlight the project’s unique design, it is an interactive playground feature. the kinetic energy released by the children’s hanging from and turning on the ropes is captured via the carousel structure and stored in a battery in the ground below – this energy is then used to generate lighting in the evenings. the mechanism of energy production and lighting is as simple as a bike dynamo and the color of the lights also changes depending on how much energy has been generated by the children on any given day.

the carousel is designed to educate children about alternative energy methods

sky view from the carousel

detail of the inner rotating part where children can sit

close-up view showing the steel structure and the stretch ceiling

producing energy with playing

conceptual image of the project

illuminated playful objects

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.