WalkNet as a space-creating climbing landscape

Initial situation and concept

The former building yard barn in Gerbrunn was renovated and converted into a play barn for children and young people. The two-part structure of the building now accommodates different uses: While the eastern part of the building houses a basketball court, the design and functional focus of the western part is a large climbing area.

The central element of this climbing landscape is the WalkNet netting areas, which create an open, transparent play and exercise space across several levels. The WalkNet is not only used as walkable play equipment, but also as a load-bearing, space-creating element.

As this is a historic building made of natural stone masonry, the entire climbing facility is designed as an independent load-bearing structure in the interior. This avoids additional load transfers into the existing building fabric. WalkNet unfolds its particular strength within this free-standing structure: over four levels, the accessible net areas invite visitors to climb, balance and linger up to a height of 8.1 meters.

Construction and implementation

The climbing facility measures 12.8 meters in length, 10 meters in width and 8.1 meters in height. Four accessible WalkNet levels are arranged at different heights and connected to each other via openings within the net surfaces. This creates a variety of pathways and a high play and recreational value.

The WalkNet structures are made of steel-reinforced polyamide synthetic fiber ropes and are friction-locked together. The irregular geometry of the steel frames creates mutually curved net surfaces that function according to the principles of pre-stressed lightweight construction. This geometry enables the WalkNet surfaces to exhibit only minor deformations even under high loads.

The vertical guardrails are made of Webnet stainless steel mesh, while WalkNet is used specifically for the accessible horizontal surfaces. The entire system was planned and designed in accordance with DIN EN 1176 so that WalkNet is safe to walk on and meets all the requirements for public play facilities.