Sandbox bench in Delft: Redefining playground design with 3D-printed innovation

Vertico 3D printed a curved concrete bench of more than 20 meters for a large sand and water play pit for toddlers in Tanthof, Delft. The bench serves as both seating and edging for the play area.

The project was a collaboration with Kinderboerderij & Waterspeeltuin Tanthof, landscape architect Bureau RIS (Ruimtelijke Inrichting Speelnatuur te Gouda) and MultiTuin en Landschap. Read the launch story of the sandbox bench.

What makes the design special

• Inclusive seating: 3D printing made it possible to design and produce varied seating heights, so everyone from children to grandparents can sit comfortably. Unlike conventional molding, this design choice adds no extra cost.
• Less material: The bench was printed hollow, which reduced material use by 75%.
• No formwork: No formwork was used to make the bench, so none was wasted. This part of the production process is often overlooked.

Next steps

The bench is part of a fun and sustainable play space. Future plans include optimizing the material for a lower cement content to further reduce environmental impact.

For more on public seating, see the 3D printed park bench, our article on 3D printed urban furniture, and Vertico's work in 3D concrete construction.

Credits

• Client: Kinderboerderij & Waterspeeltuin Tanthof
• Landscape architect: Bureau RIS | Ruimtelijke Inrichting Speelnatuur te Gouda
• Partner: MultiTuin en Landschap
• 3D printing: Vertico