A child's imagination needs only an impulse so that a blanket imposed on chairs becomes a safe base, a broken stick becomes a wand, a swivel chair becomes a rocket flying into space, and a plywood playground becomes an archipelago of exotic islands, the beginning of an amazing adventure.
The archipelago is formed by sloping plywood elements finished with semi-matte varnish
photo: Jakub Szczęsny
magical island
In Sankt Pölten, an Austrian city about 60 kilometers west of Vienna, the KinderKunstLabor exhibition center - an art laboratory for children - designed by the Schenker Salvi Weber studio team, was recently built for young audiences (up to the age of 12).
Located in Altoona Park, the wooden and concrete building was constructed with the participation of the youngest children, with whom the architects consulted on their design. The result? The building is conceived to allow children to develop their creativity and encourage movement - in a triangular plan with beveled corners and slightly inward-sloping sides. The windows appearing in the interiors are also treated with a bit of a wink - their round forms contrast with the other shapes in the building.
This is where two Polish designers, Jakub Szczęsny and Karolina Potębska, designed an indoor playground inspired by triangles, circles and plywood - Archipelagus.
We were asked to create a multi-sensory indoor environment where young children could do various physical activities and interact. However, it also had to address issues related to the ongoing trend of overprotecting children's spaces. How far could we go to make a space less devoid of potential hazards?" the authors say of the project.
axonometry
© Jakub Szczęsny, Karolina Potębska
no soft landing
After several iterations and negotiations with TÜV [Technischer Überwachungsverein are companies that test, inspect and certify technical systems, equipment and facilities to minimize risks and prevent damage - editor's note]. we came up with the idea of sloped plywood elements finished with a semi-matte lacquer. With a maximum height of 120 centimeters and angles of no more than 15 percent, children are forced to be careful, climbing and walking on the structure barefoot or in socks, the architects explained.
The modules created in this way, with numerous openings, form two mountainous islands with "caves" below the surface. This is not Jakub Szczęsny's first experiment with plywood modules - the architect's credits include theTaburete Tower of stools at the Concéntrico festivals in Logroño, Spain, and Bengaluru By Design in India.
An indoor playground is located at the KinderKunstLabor exhibition center in Sankt Pölten
photo: Patrick Johannsen
Despite evoking associations, like all the elements in this space, the landscape remains relatively abstract: we wanted to avoid being naïve and literal, the designers explain.
the power of imagination
Situated in the central part of the room, the structure stands on a slight elevation with irregular edges - an island above which geometric, balancing forms "fly", hanging artworks by Danish brand Flensted. They can be a mural of birds, a starry sky, whatever we can imagine.
Geometric, balancing forms, hanging artworks by Danish brand Flensted, "fly" under the ceiling; module details
photo: Patrick Johannsen
The space also offers a "forest of ropes," a composition of thick ropes for climbing. Next to it, as if in a mysterious jungle, flows a "waterfall" - a set of steel profiles attached to one of the walls, through which water flows. There is also a circular bowl filled with "cosmic sand" and a ramp with a hiding place on a high platform, which can also be used as a slide, from which you can slide down on yellow cushions resembling donuts. Two walls are covered with white boards on which children can draw.
Ramp/slide; plywood platform
Photo: Patrick Johannsen
The archipelago is surrounded by a plywood platform where parents and caregivers can watch as children immerse themselves in the play space, the designers conclude.
Who knows, maybe these observations will also encourage adults to take a moment of carefree play and put their imagination to work?