Kids' Island by MERA Makers
The Kids’ personal Island by MERA Makers
is so imaginative that we want to join too!
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Hello design junkies,
Today we want to share with you a creative project we recently discover! An original design created “by the children” for the children. This project aims to emphasise the toddler’s independence with the Montessori learning method.
The “Kids’ Island” play space is in a small town’s kindergarten in Russia. Small town, small playground, but where the smallest inhabitants and the architects can dream big!
MERA makers Design lab created this project, which started with a workshop for kids. In the total play space of 100 m, only 10m for the playground: like an island in the ocean. So, this was the main question that was given to the children to reflect:
"What will I do on my personal island?".
By analysing activities that were interesting for the children, the architects created eight separate plywood modules, which are connected together.
The crucial building points for the "Island" were:
-Any island can be walked around, so a construction corresponding to this thesis;
-Any island is surrounded by water. So there is a landscape washbasin for playing with water in the play space;
-Some islands have trees, caves and hills. So a play space that includes a, “house on the trees” a climbing wall, two round niches, a goose step ladder and a chamber of secrets;
-It is cool if the island has a lighthouse.
For the architects “it was important for us to make a minimalistic appearance, without unnecessary elements and avoid external attachments”. Their solution was a structure complex on the inside yet simple on the outside.
Copyrights: MERA Makers Design lab.
The three levels of the playground enable children to experience the world around them from different heights, and each child can choose a game according to their strengths.
Integrated into plywood, plexiglass elements serve two purposes: a colourful view of the world and the safety of children. Due to its transparency, the adults can look over their kids.
This playground helps to develop not only physical but also mental activity. With its simple shapes, versatility, natural texture of plywood and harmonious combination of colours, kids strengthen their understanding, planning and learning to play at different speeds.
If you enjoyed this article, you should check out our article about Montessori Kindergarten.
