Indoor Playground “Wal” – Friedrichskoog, Germany

Completed in 2008, the whale-shaped “Wal” playground in Friedrichskoog is a striking timber structure housing a 2,000 m² children’s indoor activity park. The building measures 125 m in length, 25 m in width, and reaches heights of 15 m, making it both an architectural landmark and a key driver of local tourism.

The structure consists of 25 glulam arch trusses set 5 m apart, connected by unique purlins cut to precise “windschief” angles. To achieve the complex geometry and handle the demanding coastal wind loads, the project relied on RICON and GIGANT connectors.

RICON connectors were used in approximately 95% of joints, providing concealed, self-clamping connections that allowed tolerance adjustment and rapid installation. GIGANT connectors were applied at highly stressed joints, such as at the whale’s mouth, where greater load-bearing was required. Together, the concealed systems met both fire safety and structural requirements while maintaining the exposed timber aesthetic of the interior.

Key Highlights:

Connector technology: RICON used in most joints, GIGANT in high-load areas.
Construction method: 25 glulam arch trusses with custom-cut purlins spaced at 1 m.
Design features: Whale-inspired form with exposed timber interior and concealed connectors.
Performance: Carried multi-directional forces including high coastal wind loads; F30 fire protection achieved.
Construction speed: Timber structure erected in 3 months, building completed in 9 months.
Use case: Tourist destination and children’s recreation park with trampolines, sports fields, go-karts, and family amenities.

The Wal project demonstrates how RICON and GIGANT connectors can handle the challenges of large-scale, free-form timber architecture, combining structural reliability with fast, cost-effective construction.

Credits: Architecture by Rimpf Architektur. Structural engineering by Frick + Petersen. Timber construction and engineering by Gebr. Schütt KG. Project management by Bauplan Nord. Built for the Municipality of Friedrichskoog. Images courtesy of project partners.