Located in the north of Beijing, The Playscape – Children’s Community Center is a 29,000-square-foot facility that aims to inspire kids to move their bodies and interact with each other like previous generations did when more Chinese people lived in intimate neighborhoods rather than huge impersonal cities. Developed by a health care provider specializing in children’s development, the center is designed with five traits in mind: Hide and Seek (group interaction), Adventure Playground (risk), Nook and Cranny (body proportion), Maze (discovery), and Fantasy (imagination).

These spaces encourage kids to play pretend with each other, decide what level of risk they feel comfortable experiencing, understand how their bodies fit within various spaces, be brave and adventurous, and make their own decisions within an abstract landscape with few signs or instructions. The undulating play surface interacts with a system of climbable tubes, stairs, hidden indoor spaces, trampolines, slides, and more. Built around existing trees as well as the old buildings, it completely changes how visitors experience the complex, creating new connections between upper level indoor spaces and the outdoors.

The project uses three main architectural devices – “pipe,” “roof,” and “mound” – to engage kids in creative play. The pipes are seen as armatures arranged as a series of connecting bridges and staircases, as well as slides, safety balustrades, and lighting. The walkable roofs reward kids who exert themselves in climbing to the top with new vantage points, while the mounds hide additional covered play spaces beneath the topography of the space. The architects say much of the design is based on the notion that many play spaces dictate exactly where kids should go and how they should use each element, while the Playscape inspires a lot more freedom and imagination.

“We believe the missing element in a child’s development in a modern Chinese city is chiefly a functioning neighborhood,” explain the architects. “We hoped to create the experience of street play and prioritize the reductions of gizmos and screen time. Drawing inspiration from popular culture of the past and abstracting important identities for our new neighborhood’s character.”

“The Playscape is a tool to promote learning while allowing narrative creation for children to dream and develop senses relating to equilibrium (balance) and proprioception (awareness). Balance is taken for granted until it is challenged. It is our hope that activity-based emotional responses to this built environment and the perceptions harnessed can augment the client’s tools in helping strengthen coordination within the child’s development.”

Judging from photos of the project, The Playscape looks so fun, adults might even be tempted to go explore it themselves, kids or no kids. It’s certainly an imaginative way to reactivate an industrial site that was no longer useful in its previous form.

The post 50-Year-Old Industrial Warehouse Transformed Into an Organic Playscape for Kids first appeared on Dornob.

Yes, this video game is a year late, along with the actual Olympic Games, but don’t let that stop you from checking it out. Mastering each sporting event does require a bit of technical skill, and just like training for the real thing, it’ll take some practice to make progress, though it’ll mostly just be your thumbs getting a workout. But as you get better, you’ll unlock more features, like fine-tuned tips, new skills, and spiffy outfits for your avatar.

Speaking of outfits, the best part of Sega’s Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 video game is the degree to which you can customize your avatar. Not only do you have a wide range of skin tones, hair styles, and facial features to choose from, you can also slide your character’s weight up and down to achieve whatever the most realistic physique is for you. You can even apply makeup, freckles, and face paint. All the different styles of characters can play together across all 18 events, and no avatar choices will affect performance.

There’s virtually no limit to just how ridiculous you can look, if you so choose. The apparel choices include sumo wrestling, astronaut, neanderthal, knight, pirate, and many other costumes so you can fulfill your very specific fantasy of winning a BMX race while dressed like a cowboy with tiger-themed face paint. Have at it. You could even compete with your friends and family in multiplayer mode – not just in the sports themselves, but at who can come up with the most hilarious getup. And if you would still rather play as Sonic the Hedgehog, you can do that, too.

“The Olympic Games are a unifying symbol of sportsmanship and competition for athletes and fans throughout the world,” president and COO at Sega of America Ian Curran said in a press release. “Tokyo 2020 channels that same positive spirit into a fun, arcade-style experience for friends and family to play together as we all look forward to the start of the Olympic Games this summer.”

“By working with SEGA, we are able to engage new and existing fans – particularly young people – with the Olympic Games far beyond the Games period,” says Elisabeth Allaman, VP Commercial integration at the IOC Television and Marketing Services. “We’re looking forward to seeing the next generation of young Olympic fans build their first tangible connection to the Olympic Games and Olympism through the official video game.”

The full list of sporting events available to play in the game include 110m Hurdles, 4×100 Relay, Hammer Throw, Beach Volleyball, Long Jump, BMX, Boxing, Judo, Rugby Sevens, Football (Soccer), 100m Freestyle (Swimming), 200m Individual Medley (Swimming), Sport Climbing, Tennis, Table Tennis, Basketball, Baseball, and the 100m Dash. The game is available now for $39.99 USD at major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Gamestop, VGP, and EBGames. You can also get a digital version from the Playstation store. PS Plus is required for online play and multiplayer mode (up to 8 players).

The post Sega’s Olympic Games 2020 Video Game is Full of Fun Challenges and Absurd Avatars first appeared on Dornob.

Designed by a father who was sick of his couch always being in disarray, FORT comes in six shades of blue, gray, green, and purple, and you can always buy multiple kits and mix them up to make extra-big forts. Keeping in mind the target age range between three and six years old, the magnets are strong enough to hold kid-built structures together, but not too strong for little hands to manipulate (or strong enough to hurt anyone). A non-magnetic option is also available, if that’s your preference. Each piece is light enough that a toddler could pick it up and move it. The faux leather upholstery is also wipeable, unlike most couch cushions, which means the kit can even be used outside on the lawn.

The pieces are big enough for dramatic castles, but that also means they don’t exactly fold down to a compact size for storage. You can assemble them all into a tidy cube, but it will still have to hang out somewhere until you want to use it. That’s where you might as well get creative. You can assemble the pieces into a small kid-friendly couch or other semi-permanent piece of furniture and make it a multipurpose product. Accessories are also available for the FORT, including a strap for carrying the cube-bundle and a microfiber case to turn the whole thing into a giant ottoman.

A description on the pillow fort’s Kickstarter page reads: “Structural and supportive foam that is dense enough to build with but soft enough to knock down without boo-boos! Our foam is made of a flexible polyurethane foam that is compliant with CertiPUR-US product standards. This means it is made without ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, and is low VOC for healthy indoor air!”

“We take the safety of our children seriously. If I don’t want my kids playing with it, I don’t want yours. That’s why we’ve worked obsessively to make sure the magnets don’t fall out. The magnets are sewn in place with nylon thread in a special pocket, and our leather is super durable.”

This isn’t the first fort kit of its kind. “Squishy Forts” offered a similar project back in 2013, featuring modular components with built-in rare earth magnets. Just like FORT, they piled up into a neat little square when not in use. The difference is that “Squishy Forts” did away with pretensions of being for children and marketed straight to adults. They don’t appear to be available anymore, though, so FORT stepped in to meet the demand. Let’s not pretend you aren’t going to buy this “for the kids,” and then pull it out to play with when they’re asleep (with or without the involvement of tequila). But hey, it’s okay. Live your best fort-building life.

To get one of your own, pledge $219 or more for the non-magnetic version or $259 and up for the magnetic version on Kickstarter, with estimated delivery in September 2021.

The post You’re Going to Want to Steal This Magnetic Pillow Fort from Your Kids first appeared on Dornob.

The LEGO Botanical Collection, announced on December 30th, 2020, is a range of “mindful models,” including a flowered bouquet and a seasonally changing Bonsai tree.

“While many people seek out green spaces to de-stress and relax, adults can now bring a touch of nature into their home and unwind as they create and customize their botanical builds,” LEGO said in its official press release. “And the great news is that LEGO plants don’t need to be watered to stay fresh.”

Those are some encouraging words for aspiring gardeners who don’t have much of a green thumb. And appropriately, both sets feature some components constructed from plant-based plastic, itself made from sustainably sourced sugarcane.

The 756-piece, first-ever “Bouquet” set consists of an assortment of roses, poppies, snapdragons, asters, daisies, and various grasses in a visually-striking array of colors. The stems can be adjusted to fit in any size vase, and the petals are repositionable for an endless combination of displays. The company suggests this bunch of beaming blossoms would even make a “special and unusual gift” for anniversaries and birthdays.

The Bonsai tree kit, with its 878 pieces, allows LEGO fans to experience the ancient art of carefully snipping leaves and branches to create an exquisitely shaped shrub. The green leaves can be swapped out for pink cherry buds to keep pace with the seasons, or simply whenever builder wants a change. Only astute observers will be able to tell that most of the blushing blooms are actually tiny and charming LEGO frogs. Standing in its included slatted wood-effect pot, the tree is a decent synthetic version of the real thing. Its soothing shape and hues could believably help liberate some of those feel-good neurochemicals that help people calm down.

“As adults look for new ways to switch off and relax, we’re delighted to be able to help them seek solace from their busy everyday lives as they immerse themselves in creating these beautiful botanical builds,” says Jamie Berard, Design Lead at the LEGO Group. “The customizable elements and mindful building experience will hopefully help them express their personality as their creativity blossoms.”

LEGO may have been right about adults using to play to relax, because within days of its January 1 release, the new collection completely sold out on the company website, as well as on retail sites like Target and Walmart. Once back in stock, the Flower Bouquet can be purchased online here, while the Bonsai Tree is listed here.

The LEGO Flower Bouquet perennials can stand more than 14 inches tall and are priced at $49.99. Plastic horticulturists can add to their arrangements with individually sold LEGO Roses and Tulips for $12.99 each. The completed LEGO Bonsai Tree reaches seven inches high and also retails for $49.99.

The post LEGO’s Botanical Collection Helps Adults Shed Stress and Sprout New Energy first appeared on Dornob.

100 Architects is a Shanghai-based office of 15 young international creative designers and architects who work “at the intersection of place making, street art, landscape architecture, and urban interventions.” They’ve already realized dozens of awesome public spaces around the world, and now they’re collaborating with French urban planning group Playgones on a vision that focuses on the importance of play.

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These aren’t just any old playgrounds. They function as urban art installations as much as functional spaces, each one custom-designed for its particular setting in response to the surrounding landscapes and architecture. Visible from blocks away, they make no attempt to blend in, luring in both kids and their parents like beacons. Each space also incorporates features like climbable surfaces, protective umbrellas, sport courts, benches, jungle gyms, swings, and slides.

Both Playgones and 100 Architects aim to make public spaces more fun and kid-friendly. They want to encourage social interaction above all else, inviting users to jump, sit, climb, lie down, take selfies, and more. If you’re looking at all these play surfaces and thinking about germs, you’re not alone, though mask wearing and nearby hand sanitizing stations would certainly help with that (and, just to be safe, maybe everyone should do their best to avoid ball pits in general for the foreseeable future).

Even if you don’t have kids or aren’t much of a jungle gym user yourself, just catching a glimpse of installations like these could help bring a smile to your face in hard times.

“We questioned ourselves about how to call attention and make our projects remarkable in this culture of disposability, wherein art is forgotten as quickly as it is celebrated,” says the 100 Architects team. “And we came to understand that just architectural objects for social interactions were not enough to attract attention on a global scale. Rather, we had to play according to the rules of this culture of overstimulation, in addition to having a functional purpose and a meaningful narrative.”

“Our projects had to pop and be controversial, eye-catching and contrasting from their surroundings, hence our particular use of color and iconic shapes. But our projects also had to offer an interesting program of functions to be openly used and enjoyed, displayed as open platforms for social interactions. In short, we needed a striking and eye-catching style that would call the attention of citizens, stimulating them and encouraging the occurrence of social dynamics. Our projects in public spaces seek to stimulate the user by providing colorful landscapes and intricate topographies that allow the user to interact in a much closer way with the objects and the space.”

Each new project will be posted on 100 Architects’ Instagram as it’s finished. Their portfolio really is dazzling, and worth checking out in its entirety just for the fascinating variations in shapes, colors, and configurations.

The post Public Spaces Throughout Europe Will Become Colorful Playgrounds This Fall first appeared on Dornob.

The interactive installation was first created by Lateral Office and CS Design in collaboration with EGP Group for the sixth edition of Luminothérapie (“Light Therapy”) in 2015 at the Place des Festivals in Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles. Since then, it has traveled to Chicago, Boston, Scottsdale, and other cities around North America, bringing a whole lot of fun along with it.

There’s more to “Impulse” than a dozen glowing see-saws, which range from 16 to 24 feet long. Up to four users can climb on at a time, swinging up and down to activate sequences of light and sound. The installation’s initial aim was to draw more people to Montreal’s main arts district during a time of year when it tended to be underutilized.

The designers took inspiration from a pretty unexpected source, too, explaining: “Inspired by the iconic cover of the Joy Division album Unknown Pleasures, as well as Steve Reich’s serial, minimal music, which plays with repetition, rhythm, and syncopation, [the] ‘Impulse’ project explores how architecture can visualize sound.”

Envisioned as a “dynamic, interactive landscape,” the installation responds to the movements of its users, making the public an active participant in how it looks and works. LED lights and a “pool” of sounds are stored within a micro-controller in the base of each see-saw, which in turn is activated by the speed, rhythm, and intensity of its motion.

The designers add: “The Place des Festival in the Quartier des Spectacle is transformed into a space of urban play through a series of 30 interactive acoustic illuminated see-saws that respond and transform when in motion. The seesaws, of two lengths, form units of light and sound that can be activated and played by the public to create a temporal, ever-changing event. ‘Impulse’ embodies ideas of serialism, repetition, and variation to produce zones of intensity and calm within a large public space.”

“When not in use, the see-saws stabilize to the horizontal and remain at a lower glowing level. When activated by users and inclined, the see-saws, wired to LED lights and a speaker, will augment in light intensification and emit a sound sequence. The 30 see-saws shift along the length of the Place des Festival in plan, while their vertical motion creates a dynamic light and sound wave. ‘Impulse’ is an ever-changing urban instrument.”

All that basically creates a constantly changing light and audio show that active users and passersby alike can enjoy. It’s certainly livening up the Garment District, where it will remain in place through the end of January. It’s also fun to see its previous incarnations, like the snowy scenes in Montreal. Check out more photos at the Lateral Office website, or on Instagram.

Photos courtesy of Alex Ayer (Garment District) and Chiara Isserlis (Montreal).

The post 12 Glowing See-Saws Brighten Up New York City’s Garment District first appeared on Dornob.

Guests expecting a Disney-like theme park attraction might be somewhat disappointed, as there aren’t exactly rides here — though you do receive special admission discounts to Dutch Wonderland, which has 35 family-friendly rides of its own. There are also plenty of chances to interact with characters from popular cartoons like the Powerpuff Girls, Adventure Time, and Teen Titans.

The hotel’s official website reads: “Welcome to the world’s very first Cartoon Network Hotel! From the moment you enter the lobby, you’ll realize this is unlike any place your family has stayed before. With our character-themed guest rooms and Dream Suites, it’s like having a sleepover…in a cartoon! Dine-in at the Cartoon Kitchen and dig-in to delicious dishes straight from your favorite shows (Bacon pancakes, anyone?!) Adventure awaits around every corner as you immerse yourself in the cartoon world with our daily activities and experiences. It’s everything you love about Cartoon Network in one fun family resort!”

“Cool off at our Adventure Time-themed, resort-style outdoor pool, The Powerpuff Girls “Splash Pad,” or take a dip at our new indoor facility. Watch cartoons under the stars! Gather the family, find a cozy spot on the lawn, and watch cartoons projected on to our giant Finn movie screen. You may even catch exclusive, never-before-seen episodes of shows! Kids can earn Summer Camp Island merit badges, turn into a Powerpuff Girl, and bring their very own cartoons to life with our Toon Room’s interactive games and experiences!”

It seems like summer will be the ideal time to visit, especially considering the Adventure Time-themed pool area with all its lawn games, outdoor fire pits, and big-screen outdoor theater. But the indoor play area looks fun, too, boasting a Ben 10 Omnicade, Toon Room kids’ play area, and “kids kitchen” where young guests can learn how to cook snacks.

Bonus: the indoor pool is heated year round, and there’s even a hot tub for adults in need of a relaxing break from parenting. You can also host parties for up to eight people in themed “Dream Cubes” complete with cake and party favors, or reserve a private “character breakfast.”

Of course, there’s no shame in being an adult cartoon enthusiast, and the interior design of the guest rooms reflects exactly as much. They’re a lot more “grown up” than you might imagine, with mostly minimalist decor, a few brightly colored accents, and cartoon-themed accessories like throw pillows and wall art.

The Dream Suites are fairly luxe, with room for up to eight guests each. In the ADA-accessible Powerpuff Girls Dream Suite, for example, you’ll find two sets of bunk beds in private themed spaces just off the main living room area, a 75-inch TV with custom Cartoon Network channels, a kitchenette, a dining area, and a bathtub.

Standard rooms at the new Cartoon Network hotel start at $289 a night, while the Dream Suites start at $489.

The post New Cartoon Network Hotel Opening Summer 2020 first appeared on Dornob.

As you approach, you’ll see two circular entrances ringed by perforated metal screens, the word “FAIRYLAND” emblazoned above one of them. This mood-setting detail gives you an idea of what you’ll find inside. This is no ordinary café. It’s a place that parents, caregivers, and kids can enjoy together, and it really does feel like stepping into a whole new world.

For kids, Fairyland probably feels like heaven. That’s kind of what it looks like, too. Undulating sheets of acrylic on the floors and ceiling mimic the look of an “ocean of clouds” in the central play area known as “Cloudy Town.” This space also features tree houses, slides, a miniature carousel, and a pit full of translucent balls. Then, within the “Golden Castle,” fireplaces and candles create a glowing atmosphere. A white gallery is tucked away for quiet time and privacy.

Adults aren’t neglected, either. In addition to the small pitched-roof houses scattered around inside, there are also comfortable dining areas overlooking the play areas, complete with U-shaped couches. It’s easy to imagine groups of moms gathering here to chat and connect while keeping an eye on the children.

One of the project’s lead designers notes: “One morning my daughter Tangtang was drawing out her dreamy fairyland, and I really want[ed] to make that dream come true so more kids c[ould] come and join in this wonderful fairyland. The exterior facade of the restaurant is made of aluminum panels with punctures of various sizes on it to create [the] effect of ripples woven together. Behind these ripples, a world between reality and dreams is created for kids. The front lobby is a circular space surrounded by a forest of lights, which is composed of 1000 acrylic tubes that are able simulate the effect of sunlight shining through thick layers of leaves to provide a unique forest experience [using] the reflection of the mirrored wall.”

“Kids, there will be no unwitnessed life [here], because we’ll be here for you, and every one of you will be the shiny star because we made a stage for you. Red velvet curtains slowly reveal the gateway to old memories with neon lights, wood floors, beautiful wallpaper, and crystal chandeliers. The future and the past are now interweaved, and the stage is ready for you to dance. [Even the] restroom becomes the daydream for kids. Cotton candies become girls’ favorite cloud lamps and mirrors, and boys can be astronauts traveling space.”

Don’t these pictures make you wish there were more spaces like this, where kids can experience a little bit of magic mixed in with the more mundane aspects of daily life?

The post Storybooks Spring to Life at the Fairyland Kids Café first appeared on Dornob.

The post Free-Form Play Structures Encourage Creativity first appeared on Dornob.

Color and playfulness define this interior intervention in a children’s space located within Kalorias Health Club in Portugal. The space is meant to provide a place for children to play, learn, and simply be kids. Ultimately, the deisigners, Estudio Amatam, wanted to give kids a space in which to use their imaginations and make the place their own.

Previously a space used to host corporate events, the Kalorias Children’s Space needed to be updated with children’s needs in mind. A bright but soothing shade of blue leads into the space, accompanied by playful alphabet wallpaper. Each arch in the corridor leads to a different room, each with its own defined function.

The colorful Play Room is defined by its grass carpet which continues onto a wall. The glossy bright stripes above contrast with the grass-like floor and enhance the room’s visual stimulation.

The reading room gives kids a slightly calmer environment in which to read, study, and watch movies. The black walls are actually blackboards that children can write and draw on, and the walls can become a screen for movies or cartoons.

The visual arts room features bright lights against a soft blue ceiling, resembling a starry night. The various portals, cubby holes and hiding spots inspire creative play and allow kids to explore and simply be kids.

The Open Play room is the most versatile space of all, giving kids a space to play sports, socialize, and explore. A mountain of Tetris-like blocks against one wall can be used as seating or as a fun climbing playground for kids. A small stage in the room also allows for fun theatrics.

“Designing this space for children led us to a journey through time and space in search of that restlessness that exists in the background of all beings , the imagery that makes us dream and we always seek whenever we need our most childish and creative essence.”

The post Creativity Defines a Play Space for Kids first appeared on Dornob.

The installation appeared along the steel border fence on the outskirts of El Paso, Texas and Cuidad Juárez, Mexico during the last weekend in July. Three neon pink see-saws were hooked onto the border wall itself, turning it into “a literal fulcrum” between the countries.

The project, which the artists call “Teeter-Totter Wall,” has been in progress since 2009, when the earliest concept drawings were created. The fact that it happens to be complete just as political tensions around the border have reached what might be an all-time high is purely coincidence, according to the duo.

Photos and videos show children on both sides laughing as the see-saws go up and down (always supervised by adults, of course). The designers say no pre-planning took place on the Mexican side of the border; the children just naturally came along to participate in the “unifying act.”

“One of the most incredible experiences of my and Virginia San Fratello’s career [is] bringing to life the conceptual drawings of the Teeter-Totter Wall from 2009 in an event filled with joy, excitement, and togetherness at the border wall,” said Rael in a recent statement. “The wall became a literal fulcrum for U.S.-Mexico relations and children and adults were connected in meaningful ways on both sides with the recognition that the actions that take place on one side have a direct consequence on the other side.”

“Amazing thanks to everyone who made this event possible like Omar Rios [CHOPEkE Collective] for collaborating with us, the guys at Taller Herrería in Cuidad Juárez for their fine craftsmanship, Ana Teresa Fernández for encouragement and support, and everyone who showed up on both sides, including the beautiful families from Colonia Anapra and Kerry Doyle, Kate Green, Ersela Kripa, Stephen Mueller, Juancarlos Reyes, Chris Gauthier, and many others (you know who you are!)”

At a time when smiles and lightheartedness are especially hard to find in conversations about the border, let alone directly along it, this project aims to remind us all that borders can and should be transcended. It’s also worth noting that — not long ago, in terms of human history — Mexico once extended far past its current border into what is now the United States, blending with the territories of many indigenous peoples who never actually ceded their land to European newcomers.

With the debut of “Teeter-Totter Wall” comes a new book by Rael and San Fratello, Borderwall as Architecture: A Manifesto for the U.S.-Mexico Boundary, which “is an artistic and intellectual hand grenade of a book, and a timely re-examination of what the 650 miles of physical barrier that divides the United States of America from the United Mexican States is and could be. It is both a protest against the wall and a projection about its future.”

Rael San Fratello was previously best known for their innovative experiments using highly portable equipment that could be carried by hand to any site and used with local soils to construct 3D-printed architecture. Be sure theck out Rael’s Instagram for more info on their work.

The post Pink See-Saws at the US-Mexico Border Wall Encourage Unity Through Play first appeared on Dornob.

The idea is to allow children to safely interact with urban environments on their own terms, giving them age-appropriate spaces adjacent to important cultural spaces for adults. Set within the Intermediae exhibition space, the leisure installation features bold geometric shapes in a rainbow of vivid hues that contrast with their industrial surroundings, which themselves are part of a reclaimed slaughterhouse complex.

But it’s not just for kids, explains Kevin Haley, co-founder of Aberrant Architecture. Adults can interact with it as well, helping their children explore, learn, and play as they go. The purpose of the space is to explore how art can help propose new models for inclusion and coexistence within cities.

“To the question of how we can transform the urban space through play, Aberrant Architecture replies with structures, shapes, and colors that invite children of all ages to use this new place in an imaginative way,” add the architects. “The resulting interior landscape is composed of follies, crevices, and different elevations which, although they make up a fantastic territory that can be used by the communities that come to Intermediae each day, don’t impose rigid restrictions in terms of how people must behave. This flexibility also means that the playground can be used as a setting for a range of activities during the months when it will be open.”

“This Playground continues Intermediae Matadero’s work on childhood through commissions to interdisciplinary artists to design spaces for play. With these Playgrounds, Intermediae Matadero highlights the need to dedicate more spaces for children in contemporary cities. Through commissions to international artists to imagine new places to play, Matadero Madrid also makes a unique statement for the right to also play within cultural institutions.”

The temporary installation will be open Tuesday through Sunday each week through September 22nd, 2019, when it will be replaced by a new experimental playground designed by Spanish artist Leonor Serrano Rivas. Intermediae, a program of Matadero Madrid Center for Contemporary Creation devoted to the production of trans-disciplinary artistic projects based on experimentation and shared learning, will also organize a seminar to discuss integrating such spaces for children into more cultural institutions around the world.

Founded by David Chambers and Kevin Haley, Aberrant Architecture is known for designing creative spaces for children, including a mobile playground and partnerships with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Landscape for Play is the latest in a string of cool modern play spaces for kids that place an emphasis on beautiful design, interactivity, and an adventurous spirit. For more examples, check out MAD’s Courtyard Kindergarten in Beijing and Nook Ballston, “a curated, gallery-like experience” made of natural birch wood with sensory-friendly details.

The post Landscape for Play: A Colorful Space for Kids at Matadero Madrid first appeared on Dornob.

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Nook, a modern family brand, creates children’s play and learning spaces with a minimalist and refined feel that fits right into the adult world.

The brand recently opened Nook Ballston, “a curated, gallery-like experience” set in an indoor-outdoor retail center called Ballston Quarter in Arlington, Virginia. Representing Nook’s third installation to date, this play space offers imaginative structures made of carefully chosen materials in neutral tones to facilitate a calming, relaxing environment. Its custom-designed play spaces are made of natural birch wood, gray textiles, and white backdrops by San Francisco-based furniture design studio Mickus Projects.

The space features climbable structures and a ball pit for adventurous physical activity, paper-covered tables outfitted with drawing supplies, a reading area, quieter cubbies full of engaging age-appropriate toys, and areas specifically dedicated to interacting with other children and adults. Many of the play area elements are sensory-friendly, too, providing outlets for fidgeting, picking at things, hiding, and withdrawing — and it’s all designed to keep both kids and parents from feeling overwhelmed. The height keeps kids immersed in an environment that’s built to their scale, and it allows parents to keep an eye on everything that’s happening in the mean time.

“A child in the restaurant nook can turn around and be in the garage nook, and sidestep into the library, while a parent is able to see it all from any vantage point in the space. Visual connectivity extends to the changing area, where a low wall discreetly accommodates a changing table and leads to restrooms and storage in a niche directly adjacent to the main play space. Parents can step in to change an infant without losing sight of older siblings still playing.”

“Absent the overgeneralization and overstimulation of the typical ‘family-friendly’ scene, Nook’s play and learning experiences are centered around design and engagement. We created our play spaces, programs, and online resources in collaboration with a multi-talented team of designers (product, graphic, interior), early childhood development specialists, child psychologists, and parenting coaches. The result is a play and learning experience that all members of the family will not only find enjoyable and enriching, but also empowering.”

There’s certainly nothing wrong with colorful spaces for kids, but Nook’s solutions do offer an intriguing blueprint for modular, flexible components that can be changed or replaced as needed, as well as diverse programming, and the millwork is absolutely beautiful. Designed for kids aged zero through five, their play spaces make it easy for children to manage their own playtime and decide which activities they want to partake in. Parents can choose to either interact with them within these spaces or observe and offer encouragement from the sidelines.

These modern play areas demonstrate a visually pleasing way in which kids’ spaces can be integrated with adult ones, and they’re sensitive to kids who have different ways of learning and interacting with others. Seems like a pretty big win for every member of the family.

The post Nook: Well-Designed Play Spaces for the Modern Kid first appeared on Dornob.

The Nová Ruda school was originally built to accommodate the town’s growing population, comprising part of a proposed residential development close to a secondary art school. By working the kindergarten into the development, the planners hope that the area will soon blossom into an energetic community within a community.

From the onset of the project, principal architect Petr Stolín knew the school would have to have a small footprint. Indeed, the completed Nová Ruda only takes up 9,849 square feet, so to make it seem larger and brighter, Stolín opted to split the mass of the building down the middle to create an inner courtyard. He then decided to wrap the entire thing up in a transparent cloak. From the outside, only the solid forms of the classrooms and facilities can be seen, allowing students and staff to walk around the premises in relative privacy. Play and rest spaces are located on the lower levels, with two 25-desk classrooms, a 30-seat dining area, and rooftop terraces above. Both classrooms have skylights and interior windows overlooking the playgrounds.

By working in elements like the fiberglass façade, large windows, and lights of various colors, Stolín has truly played up the role of light at Nová Ruda. On top of that, the windows’ orientation makes for unexpected relationships between spaces, giving children and staff quirky views to both the courtyard and the world around them. These elements of fun in the kindergarten’s architecture are great for appealing to the children’s sense of wonder and adventure , but more importantly, they provide them with a refreshing learning experience.

Stolín did not want to design a typical school with an adjacent yard contained in a fence — though it’s not like he had the space to do so anyways. Instead, he flipped the concept of standard school design by putting the play areas at the center and then surrounding them with the learning spaces. Since recess is likely to be the best part of the day for most schoolchildren, the kindergarten’s architecture reads like a physical representation of how we use their desire for play as a way to teach them about themselves and getting along with one another.

The opening of a new school is always a milestone achievement for a community because it marks the beginning of a promising future. After all, each child who is educated there will grow to provide value to that community. The inverse of this is also true when a community closes a school, because it’s a sign that the present has been prioritized over the future. That’s why building educational facilities where children can learn in encouraging environments should always be celebrated.

The post At Nová Ruda Kindergarten, Learning and Play Become One first appeared on Dornob.

Combining digital technology with physical activity is nothing new, so it’s no surprise that the Wilson X provides information that simply wouldn’t be available with observation alone. With a series of pigskin tosses, the officially-spec’d smart football provides real-time stats reflecting your performance, including velocity, spin rate, throw speed, spiral efficiency, and distance. You can also see your Wx rating based on the totality of your throwing stats.

To receive that information, simply download the Wilson X app on your iOS smartphone. After that, the data will transmit to your phone via Bluetooth as you practice or compete.

For the most accurate feedback, set the technology to one of five built-in presets, each one of which accomplishes their own specific goal:

• QB Warm Up allows you to monitor your practice throws and see the result of adjustments in real time.
• Move to Elimination Mode to compare your skills to those of up to seven opponents. If your game’s not up to snuff, you get eliminated.
• Precision Mode dials in the details to you help you nail the perfect throw.
• Game Time is like a video game challenge, where you can play as and against any NFL team.
• Final Drive Mode follows play down the field, including the snaps, interceptions, and even sacks if you fail to throw the ball in time. Make a touchdown to win the game, or fail and hang your head in shame.

Since all this information goes to your phone, you’ll find it extremely easy to adjust after each practice throw. Once you’re feeling really confident, try aiming for a certain stat in Precision mode. When playing with friends, the stats pop up after each throw so you compare performances. For an even deeper competitive aspect, you can create your own avatar and post results for others to see — and try to beat. You can also program the app to feed your results directly to your social media accounts.

The NFL team stats built into the program affect results of your Game Time sessions based on the real-life strengths of the team you choose. For example, a completed pass might record as an interception if you’re “playing” against a highly defensive team. The goal is to make it more realistic, but the inconsistent nature of the results can be a little hard to digest. 

Even with a less-than-perfect reality experience, reviewers report that the Wilson X does do a great job of tracking and delivering data. Its ultra-energy-conserving battery turns off between each throw, allowing it to last an impressive 200,000 uses. The $200 retail price tag can be hard to swallow for the amateur football player, but it has gone on sale for less than $100 in the past, bringing it much more in alignment with non-smart footballs.

For the ultimately interactive football experience, pick up a Wilson X and get to tossin’.

The post Wilson X Smart Football Provides Instant Performance Feedback first appeared on Dornob.