• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.105-114
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to classify playground types according to the physical characteristics of playgrounds in child care facilities, to analyze the needs of care-givers and to evaluate the adequacy of playgrounds according to playground types. The specific areas discussed in this study were the evaluation of the adequacy in the physical characteristics of playgrounds for children's outdoor play activities by the care-givers, who assist in the outdoor play activities of children and manage safety in the playground, and a report on playground requirements of them. Data was collected from field survey carried out to investigate the physical characteristics of playgrounds of 21 child care facilities. This survey incorporated a structured-questionnaire for the purpose of evaluating the adequacy of the physical characteristics of playgrounds (location and size of the playground, play equipments, the composition of play areas, ground covers, and location of sidewalk in the playground) by the 181 care-givers from the facilities and investigating the needs of them. The major results showed the following. 1) In field survey, it was observed that while the location and the size of the playgrounds varied widely, ground cover, play equipments, and the composition of play area turned out to be identical, regardless of the location and the size of the playgrounds. 2) The playgrounds were classified into five types according to the number of children and the size of the playground. The five types include A-type as a large-scale facility/smallsize playground, B-type as a small-scale facility/large-size playground, C-type as a small-scale facility/small-size playground, D-type as a middle-scale facility/large-size playground, and E-type as a large-scale facility/large-size playground. 3) The adequacy of the physical characteristics of playground in the D-type was evaluated to be higher than that of the other types. The adequacy of the C-type playground was evaluated to be lower than that of the other types in terms of size and the composition of play areas within the playground. 4) The care-givers of the D-type and the E-type playground expressed a desire to install various play equipments, while the care-givers of the C-type playground did not wish to install play equipment. 5) Various outdoor play areas were needed in the D-type playground.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.90-97
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• 2016

As the paradigm which emphasizes nurturing creative elites is introduced, more attention has been paid to children playing and their creativity. This change means that the importance of creativity is emphasized in the education of children, and furthermore, playgrounds which focus on creativity and imagination are needed. Therefore, this study examines the spatial characteristics of playgrounds for children and suggested strategies to improve them. There are five spatial characteristics of a creative playground: aesthetics, being eco-friendly, exploration, challenging and variable. Through the five characteristics, playgrounds were analysed based on ten expressive elements and the results are summarized: Creative playgrounds for children should have an attractive design with sculptural elements which stimulate children to be excited through associable shapes and abstract colors. Second, shelter type structures and a flexible flow design are needed so that children can feel free and be encouraged to explore in diverse ways. Third, as playgrounds for children provide spaces for rest in addition to play, organic facilities and eco-friendly materials for the rest space should to be used. Fourth, as childhood is a period when emotional, cognitive and physical development are achieved, organic geographical features and atypical facilities should be provided so that children can acquire extensive skills and join in physical activities. Finally, creative playgrounds for children should have mobile or variable facilities which consider the characteristics of children who want to do diverse activities and play different games. This study analysed playgrounds for children and suggested strategies to improve them. For successful design and use of creative playgrounds, it is suggested that intensive research on them and consultation with experts should be considered.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.673-680
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• 2017

Research and commercialization of wood chips-urethane resin mixtures as paving materials for park trails and tourist attractions are underway. The aim of this study was to expand the use of such paving materials to the playgrounds, where vigorous physical movements occur frequently. For this purpose, the physical properties and safety of the paving material, in which some or all of the wood chips(passing through a 10mm sieve and remaining in a 3mm sieve) were replaced with sawdust, were studied experimentally. Strength, elastic modulus, slip resistance, shock absorption and heavy metal content tests were carried out by varying the mixing ratio of urethane resin, sawdust and wood chip. As a result, in the case of wood chip-resin mixtures with mass ratios of the resin to total mass of sawdust and wood chips of 1.0 and 1.2 and having a ratio of sawdust mass to total mass of sawdust and wood chips of 0-0.4, it was found that the properties satisfied KS F 3888-2. On the other hand, in case of using sawdust only as a woody material, the shock absorbability was below standard, and the mass ratio of resin to sawdust required 1.2 or more to ensure the specified tensile strength.