In early March 2024 a proposal was submitted for an art-for-architecture competition in Lustadt in the south of the state of Rhineland Palatinate. The requirement is for an art object in the inner courtyard of the Villa Murmelstein and Villa Lustica day nursery. For this purpose, the Lustica-Wildnis (Wilderness) was developed. The municipality of Lingenfeld invited entries for the competition.
The Lustica-Wildnis provides adventure and play for all age groups in the day nursery. On the S-shaped course that runs through the Wilderness, the smallest children are almost at an advantage when slipping through posts placed close together.
The round wooden posts are set in pairs so that they lean towards and across one another. Sometimes this produces a small gap, sometimes a larger one: for walking, squeezing or crawling through. When the children do not follow the prescribed path, they still encounter a space that encourages a variety of games, where they can practice and learn orientation. The size of the Lustica-Wildnis provides space for many children at once and is a place for a shared experience.
The formal language and above all the colouring create a feature that marks the courtyard of the day nursery. The round posts, which the children cannot climb on, produce no risk of accidents. Every part of the object is accessible for adults, who can help the children when needed. As falls from a height do not need to be considered, every option is open for the ground covering. It would make sense to put wood chips on the ground.