Atelier Scale has created The Folds, a small community playground in Changzhou, China, as a place for children to explore in a more tactile and less regulated way than usual.
The studio deliberately minimised the use of playground equipment to allow children to play with the folded shapes of the place itself.
The Folds' shape was informed by waves
"We believe that the folding landform can encourage children to perceive the space with their hands and feet," Atelier Scale founding partner Huicheng Zhong told Dezeen.
"Children can run, climb, play hide and seek, and decide how to have fun by themselves. We hope that this space will not be bound by function or program, with less purpose and more instinct."
It features less equipment than regular playgrounds The Folds has been shortlisted for the Dezeen Awards 2020 in the landscape project category.
The shape of the playground, which features plenty of hiding spaces and nooks as well as a separate seating area with a fountain, was inspired by the movement of water.
"An abstract field of wave is the initial idea for the folding landform," Zhong said. This was partly developed due to time constraints, as the studio was only given one month to construct the playground.
Children are encouraged to explore the space
"We came up with a simple design strategy ? a repetitive pattern of folding gesture, which not only makes material fabrication and arrangement much easier and cheaper but also makes cons...