003: New Design Approach
Guidelines and Considerations
In the last article my goal was to bring attention to the historical motivations and factors that led to modern skatepark design. Simply put those motivations and factors are a layout that would facilitate competition and demonstration at the higher levels of skateboarding. A design that is mainly focused on flow for one skater. And obstacles that are based on empty backyard concrete pools, halfpipes and skateable objects from the regular built environment that appear in popular skate videos.
What I would like suggest now are alternatives to this approach. The following is a list of general guidelines and considerations that I feel would lead to better skatepark design.
Consider not just the obstacles that appear in popular skate videos but also consider the environments and context in which those obstacles are skated. Then try to incorporate some of those environmental factors when possible into skatepark design.
The usability of each obstacle should be of the utmost importance. The usability would help dictate the proper dimensions for obstacles such as the height, width, length, shape ect. Enough open space around each obstacle to allow for full usability would help dictate the layout.
What layouts and obstacles would help facilitate the process of learning how to skateboard?
How could a skatepark be designed to lessen the competition for space and obstacle usage that exist in modern skate parks?
Provide seating that is clearly differentiated from skate obstacles that look like seating. And have this seating strategically placed out of the way of where people are skating but still placed in areas where skaters or people have a good view of the skatepark.
Ensure that the designer is knowledgeable enough about skate history to be able to tell the difference between obstacles that are in popular skate videos that would work well in a skate park setting and those that would not.
For the next six articles I plan on individually elaborating on each of these guidelines and considerations. I will use excerpts from urban planning and design books to help explain these ideas as well. I’m sure I’ll come up with some more along the way but this is the starting point. Hopefully by the end the articles can be used as a catalyst and guide to help improve skatepark design.