Spaces that seem insignificant to an adult are a whole world to a kid because of scale. Furniture that is not scaled to a child’s size creates unusual spaces that don’t serve a functional purpose but can fit their bodies in various ways. These spaces, combined with imagination, create a whole world.  

Being closer to the ground makes the tactile experience of earth and sticks and rocks and plants so much richer and so important to a kid. This leads to collecting objects, playing with them, imagining them other ways, and storing them in secret hidey-holes.

Physical obstacles create a sense of danger and accomplishment, and make the spaces claimed at the end of that journey more precious.

Play with scale: spaces and intersections that don’t make functional sense at that scale, leaving room to imagine and invent your own environment. A series of unusual spaces and existing circumstances for people to create their own environment in response to using flexible furnishings.

Focus on the tactile experience. Bring the ground closer. Include richness and variety that engages users. Things up above may not seem as important until you get up there.

Some sense of danger or difficulty in navigating spaces. A challenge with a rewarding resting place at the end which is a desirable space someone will want to claim for themselves. Allow different ways of getting into a space other than a door. Play with levels and pathways.

What would happen if people took their shoes off? How would they connect differently to their environment? What surfaces and experiences would they desire?

A sculptural landscape. Indoor topography that allows different kinds of prospect and refuge, such as a “valley”, a “cave”, a “tree”.

Form

Sculptural, carved landscape

Structure

Massive, carved forms. Appears monolithic, structure hidden.

Contrast with lightweight, movable structure of furnishings.

Color

Material

Rich variety of textures

Connections

Hidden connections

Lighting

As much natural lighting as possible

Detail

Meandering circulation path travels gradually upward on the central “mountain.” Paths carved into the mountain lead to the central core.