Cooler than inside

Participation as the Key

Skak­ke­ringen is simul­ta­neously a schoo­lyard, an acti­vity park, and a meeting place—right next to the Skakke Cultural Center in Etne (Vest­land, Norway). Desi­gned by PIR2 and LOCAL toge­ther with young people, local clubs, and the muni­ci­pa­lity, it became a pilot project addres­sing loneli­ness, lack of physical acti­vity, and the need for quality outdoor spaces.

The original schoo­lyard was a gray asphalt area with a basket­ball hoop, two ping-pong tables, and a few benches. It was rarely used—young people had no place where they felt welcome. The muni­ci­pa­lity ther­e­fore set a clear goal:
“It should be cooler outside than inside.”

Through work­shops, on-site tours, and inter­ac­tive design processes, students and local initia­tives shared their wishes:

• More gree­nery and invi­ting spaces

• Bold colors and lighting

• Clim­bing and gymnastic elements

• Ball game areas

• Covered meeting points

The result is a space directly shaped by the needs of young people, while remai­ning open and welco­ming to all citi­zens.

The Red Loop

At the heart of Skak­ke­ringen lies the Red Loop, which defines the space and guides move­ment throug­hout the park.

Its flexible center can host sports, concerts, theater perfor­mances, markets, or open-air cinema. The pavi­lion doubles as a stage and shelter for events, while the green edges offer small gardens, seating decks, and meeting points.

The concept blends active and quiet zones, making it perfect for use across gene­ra­tions. Skak­ke­ringen is not just the schoo­lyard of Enge Secon­dary School—it also serves as a stage for concerts, sports tour­na­ments, and markets. Supported by local part­ners such as the Skakke Cultural Center, the Etne Cup, and the Etne­mark­naden Festival, the space has become a true social hub for the commu­nity.

What We Can Learn Here

The Norwe­gian example offers valuable lessons that can be applied directly to our cities, muni­ci­pa­li­ties, and sports clubs.

1. A single space doesn’t have to serve a single purpose. Skak­ke­ringen shows how a schoo­lyard can also be a sports field, a park, and an event area—maximizing use and making invest­ments wort­hwhile, even on a tight budget.
2. Parti­ci­pa­tion is key. Invol­ving young people, clubs, and citi­zens from the start creates a sense of owner­ship and ensures that the space is used sustain­ably.
3. Simpli­city, dura­bi­lity, and flexi­bi­lity make a diffe­rence. Well-struc­tured elements like the Red Loop, a flexible central area, and green gathe­ring spots require little tech­no­logy, are cost-effec­tive, and easy to main­tain.
4. Open­ness and acces­si­bi­lity matter. Free access lowers barriers and encou­rages ever­yday acti­vity, promo­ting both health and social cohe­sion.
5. Finally, Skak­ke­ringen sparks ideas for urban deve­lo­p­ment. As part of a planned acti­vity axis linking the town center, marina, and sports faci­li­ties, it illus­trates how public spaces can connect infra­struc­ture and communities—an approach that holds inspi­ra­tion far beyond Norway.