THE CUDDLY PLAYGROUND

Designed by Iza Rutkowska, designer and creator of Forms and Shapes Foundation and Zoochitecture Studio, in collaboration with Polish architecture firm BudCud, The Cuddly Playground reflects the characters from an animated series inspired by a cult comic book series – Kayko, Kokosh and Cuddly the dragon. The space was also built in memory of Janusz Christa, the creator of these characters.

The playground is primarily formed from wooden beams and other natural materials. The final structures are simplified silhouettes of the animated characters or more abstract elements of the fantastical landscape they inhabit.

According to the architects, “The Cuddly Playground is composed of zones appropriate for various levels of psychomotor skills, making the space both integrative and development-oriented. The entrance part of the Cuddly Playground is dedicated to younger children, while the area in the background around the dragon is intended for older children.

“While exploring the playground, kids gradually become acquainted with the characters from the animation. At the entrance, children are greeted by the Slavic warriors cut out from wooden boards. A little further on, kids can climb a hill made of accumulated stumps, from which there is a good view of a giant creature. Children can stay in the Mirmiłowo area and watch Cuddly while jumping on the trampoline, swinging on wooden platforms or resting on the hill. But if they want to get closer to the dragon, it is just a quick ride down the slide and a short walk leading under the nose of a friendly creature.”

A centrepiece of the playspace, Cuddly, is a sculptural form constructed of wooden logs and painted green. It is designed to allow children to scramble across it and explore the wide range of play possibilities that include climbing, sliding, swinging and drumming.  In addition, a cave carved into the creature's belly, which can be accessed either through the tail entrance or by climbing through a hollow above the dragon's left paw, is a perfect hide-out from parents, while the higher paw makes it possible to climb onto Cuddly's back.

“The use of wood and natural materials supports children's environmental education, while the intuitive forms of toys exercise their imagination and creative cooperation skills,” claim the architects.”

Images Jakub Certowicz & BUDCUD via Archdaily