Holscher Nordberg Architects creates play area framed by a single metal ribbon
This ribbon of weathering steel meanders through a Copenhagen housing estate, creating a path, slide and aerial walkway (+ slideshow).
![The Loop designed by Holscher Nordberg Architects connects areas of a Danish social housing development](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/the-loop-holscher-nordberg-architects-intervention-vaerebro-park-social-housing-development-steel-_dezeen_936_12.jpg)
Called The Loop, the structure was developed by local studio Holscher Nordberg Architects for a social housing development called Værebro Park, in the northwest of the city.
The aim was to create a visible connection between an indoor public swimming pool, a public school and the apartment buildings on the estate.
![The Loop designed by Holscher Nordberg Architects connects areas of a Danish social housing development](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/the-loop-holscher-nordberg-architects-intervention-vaerebro-park-social-housing-development-steel-_dezeen_936_1.jpg)
The architects designed the structure to look like a single, continuous ribbon of material. They chose weathering steel – a pre-rusted metal – to make it look slightly aged.
"The Loop aims to create a physical and mental bridge between the different users of the area," said the architects.
"The low budget yet aesthetic element is designed as a playful path offering a variation of activities."
![The Loop designed by Holscher Nordberg Architects connects areas of a Danish social housing development](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/the-loop-holscher-nordberg-architects-intervention-vaerebro-park-social-housing-development-steel-_dezeen_936_8.jpg)
Part of a wider plan to improve social conditions on the estate using architecture, the walkway is intended as a functional public artwork that encourages children to play together and neighbours to talk to one another.
![The Loop designed by Holscher Nordberg Architects connects areas of a Danish social housing development](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/the-loop-holscher-nordberg-architects-intervention-vaerebro-park-social-housing-development-steel-_dezeen_936_9.jpg)
Covering an area of approximately 500 square metres, it does a loop around a wildflower meadow and crosses an existing path, before connecting with a gentle ramp.
The ramp continues to rise as it loops around a cluster of trees, then slopes back down and passes underneath itself.
![The Loop designed by Holscher Nordberg Architects connects areas of a Danish social housing development](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/the-loop-holscher-nordberg-architects-intervention-vaerebro-park-social-housing-development-steel-_dezeen_936_3.jpg)
As it approaches a concrete wall enclosing another part of the park, the steel surface slopes steeply to form a slide with a polished surface that intersects with the top of the wall.
![The Loop designed by Holscher Nordberg Architects connects areas of a Danish social housing development](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/the-loop-holscher-nordberg-architects-intervention-vaerebro-park-social-housing-development-steel-_dezeen_936_7.jpg)
Tensioned wires create a minimal balustrade around the elevated sections of the walkway, while the sides of the slide are formed of steel profiles that taper as they descend towards the ground.
![The Loop designed by Holscher Nordberg Architects connects areas of a Danish social housing development](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/the-loop-holscher-nordberg-architects-intervention-vaerebro-park-social-housing-development-steel-_dezeen_936_0.jpg)
A cantilevered box that extends from the highest point of the concrete wall provides a viewing platform overlooking the entire park.
![The Loop designed by Holscher Nordberg Architects connects areas of a Danish social housing development](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/the-loop-holscher-nordberg-architects-intervention-vaerebro-park-social-housing-development-steel-_dezeen_936_5.jpg)
The project was developed by Holscher Nordberg Architects alongside members of the community.
"This strategy of user involvement created a sense of mutual ownership over the project," said the architects, "which is an important factor in order to make these types of public projects fulfil their intentions and potential."
![The Loop designed by Holscher Nordberg Architects connects areas of a Danish social housing development](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/the-loop-holscher-nordberg-architects-intervention-vaerebro-park-social-housing-development-steel-_dezeen_936_10.jpg)
Similarly, Glenn Howells Architects recently completed an elevated walkway that extends through the treetops at Britain's national arboretum, while a path designed by Tetsuo Kondo Architects loops its way up and around trees in an Estonian forest.
Photography is by Peter Nørby.
Project credits:
Architect: Holscher Nordberg Architects
Project team: Nils Holscher, Nora Fossum, Torsten Baggesen Schmidt, Niklas Nolsøe