BERG PlayBase: iF Design Award Winner — And a Game-Changer for Irish Gardens

When a piece of garden equipment wins one of the world’s most respected design awards, you sit up and take notice. The BERG PlayBase did exactly that—earning an iF DESIGN AWARD for its smart, minimalist, do-everything approach to outdoor play, sport, and downtime.

The BERG PlayBase, winner of the iF Design Award, is a stylish, durable, and modular outdoor play and fitness frame that grows with your family—perfect for Irish gardens.

In this post, we’ll unpack why the PlayBase captured the attention of international judges, what makes it brilliant for Irish families and gardens, and how to choose a setup that will grow with your kids (and you).

What is the BERG PlayBase?

Think of PlayBase as a sleek, steel “blank canvas” for family life outdoors. The black frame forms a rock-solid base to which you can add (and swap) accessories for play, sport, fitness, and lounging—everything from baby seats and wooden swings to monkey bars, a basketball hoop, resistance bands, boxing bag, climbing wall, and even a hammock. BERG designed it so you can reconfigure in minutes as your family’s needs evolve—morning workout for mum or dad, toddler swing after lunch, teen basketball in the evening. The iF jury recognised that versatility, noting PlayBase’s modular accessories and robust frame that invite the whole family to move more at home.

Launched in 2021 after more than a year of in-house development by BERG’s design team in the Netherlands, PlayBase went on to be awarded at the iF DESIGN AWARD 2022 in the “Play equipment” category—a strong signal that this isn’t just another climbing frame; it’s a genuinely considered piece of design. (iF Design)

Why the iF DESIGN AWARD matters

If you’re not familiar with iF, it’s been around since 1953 and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious, competitive design awards in the world. Each year, around 11,000 entries are submitted and judged by independent experts across disciplines. Winning is not just about looking pretty; it’s about function, innovation, sustainability, and user benefit. That’s why an iF win carries real weight for families evaluating a long-term garden investment.

What impressed the judges about PlayBase

From iF’s summary and BERG’s own specs, a few themes stand out:

A minimalist frame that fits any garden. The powder-coated black steel looks clean and contemporary without dominating your outdoor space.
Serious durability. The frame uses 89 mm tubing and patented connections, with multiple coatings for weather resistance—great news for Irish rain, wind, and sea air.
True modularity. The system originally offered a dozen accessories and later expanded with more options for sport and fitness (football, basketball, ropes, bars). That “mix-and-match” approach is central to the award recognition.
Family-wide benefits. From toddlers to teens to adults, you can configure PlayBase for play, sport, and lounge—all on one structure.

Built for Irish gardens (and weather)

PlayBase has some very practical touches that suit Irish homes:

No concrete required. Thanks to its wide base and anchoring design, you can install PlayBase with a spade and a spirit level (Wall version excepted). That simplifies setup and makes future repositioning more feasible than concrete footings.
Weather-resistant finish. The multi-coat steel construction is engineered to last for years outdoors—important when your climate delivers four seasons in one day.
Space-savvy by design. With multiple frame sizes, you can choose a footprint that works in everything from compact urban lawns to larger country gardens.

Safety and strength you can feel

Parents naturally ask two questions: Is it safe? and How strong is it?

BERG specifies a maximum load of 400 kg for the complete frame (without accessories) and a typical max user weight of 100 kg, depending on the attachment. That’s a robust margin for multi-user play or a parent joining in a workout.
The frame’s large-diameter steel tubes, solid joints, and secure ground anchoring keep swaying to a minimum—even when kids are clambering up the wall while someone else swings.

Of course, common-sense use applies: match accessories to age/ability, keep a clear landing area around the frame, and periodically check fixings—just as you would with any outdoor equipment.

Choosing your PlayBase: sizes and layouts

One of the best parts of the system is how easily you can tailor it. BERG offers Medium, Large, Extra-Large, and a Wall version, and then lets you select your “L” (ladder) and “T” (trapeze/monkey bar) sides to suit how you want to use the frame. That flexibility makes it simple to plan for today’s needs and tomorrow’s.

A few quick pointers:

Medium is a smart pick for compact gardens and younger families, giving you classic swing/climb fun and room to add fitness accessories later.
Large widens the span for more simultaneous activities—great if you’ve got a couple of kids (or a budding gymnast).
Extra-Large opens up full “playground at home” potential, with space to combine a climbing wall on one side, monkey bars across the top, and a lounge setup on the other.
Wall is perfect if you want the training benefits in a tighter footprint or near a boundary.

For inspiration, explore complete sets and mix-and-match accessories on BERG’s site—seeing the combos helps you visualise what fits your family and space.

Accessories that keep the whole family moving

You can start simple and expand over time. Popular add-ons include:

For little ones: baby seat, rubber swing, wooden swing—gentle, confidence-building fun within arm’s reach.
For bigger kids: nest swing, climbing wall, ladder, gymnastics rings—hours of open-ended play that builds strength and coordination.
For teens and adults: monkey bars, resistance bands, boxing bag, pull-up bar—turn the garden into a functional fitness zone.
For everyone: basketball hoop (great for quick family shootouts), or a hammock when you just want to stretch out with a book.

Because the attachments use a convenient click system, updating your setup is quick and tool-light—swap the rings for a hammock at the weekend, then back to a workout on Monday.

What makes the PlayBase different from a “normal” climbing frame?

Three things:

Design pedigree. The iF DESIGN AWARD validates that PlayBase isn’t only sturdy—it’s thoughtfully engineered for long-term usability and aesthetics. For many families, a climbing frame is a major purchase; the award is a credible signal you’re buying quality, not a short-lived fad.
Multi-generational value. Most playsets top out at the primary-school years. PlayBase adds genuine adult training options, so it isn’t obsolete once the kids shoot up.
Reconfigurability. The same frame can be a toddler swing now, a teen gym in a few years, and a lounge zone whenever you fancy—without pouring new concrete or buying a second structure.

A few planning tips before you buy

Measure your space and leave generous clearance around swings and climbers (especially on the landing side of the climbing wall).
Think in “zones”. A play zone (swing + nest swing) can happily coexist with a training zone (monkey bars + rings) if you choose the right size.
Forecast future use. If your eldest is 9 now, the Large may be the sweet spot for the next 5–7 years as siblings catch up.
Mind the ground. Grass is fine, but higher-impact accessories benefit from a forgiving surface.
Plan for storage. Smaller accessories (basketball, gloves, bands) are easier to use when you’ve got a dedicated outdoor box nearby.

Why buy your PlayBase from Trampolines Ireland?

We’re proud to be a trusted Irish retailer for BERG, stocking the latest PlayBase frames and accessories. As an authorised seller recognised on BERG’s own store finder, we stand behind the genuine product, warranty support, and friendly advice you’d expect from a specialist.

You can browse our BERG PlayBase collection—including frames in multiple sizes and ready-made sets—right here on our site. And if you’re not sure which combination is right for your garden, we’re happy to help you weigh up the options.

The bottom line

The BERG PlayBase didn’t win an iF DESIGN AWARD by accident. It combines timeless, tidy looks with serious engineering and family-first flexibility—precisely the kind of design that delivers value for a decade, not just a season. Whether you want to spark imaginative play, make daily movement effortless, or create a low-key lounge spot that doubles as a home gym, PlayBase does the lot—and looks good doing it.

If you’re ready to design a setup that suits your space and your family, have a look at our current PlayBase range and get in touch for friendly, expert guidance. We can help you choose the right size, the right accessories, and a configuration that grows with your kids—from push-chair days to pull-ups.

Sources & further reading

BERG PlayBase — iF DESIGN AWARD 2022 (project page: launch year, development time, modular accessories, category).
About the iF DESIGN AWARD (history since 1953; prestige).
iF Winners overview (scale of the competition; ~11,000 entries annually).
BERG PlayBase product details (frame sizes, no-concrete install, coatings, 89 mm tubing, accessory system, load limits).
Trampolines Ireland — BERG PlayBase collection (shop our sets and frames).
BERG Store Finder: Trampolines Ireland (authorised retailer listing).

Ready to play, train, and chill—without leaving the garden? We’ve got your PlayBase.