Christmas Playground in Osaka by AnjaZS from south africa
designer's own words:
The Christmas Playground is an interpretation of the traditional Christmas tree. Christmas is a holiday symbolized by giving, sharing, and helping those in need. However, the meaning of Christmas is often lost with the onset of Christmas shopping and other materialistic endeavours. The Christmas Playground is a symbol for the frivolity of Christmas, as well as the introspection and humbleness necessitated by this occasion.
The hemispherical dome is designed primarily for children, encouraging them to interact with it. Children can climb onto the latticed exoskeletal structure, and also play on the top, and climb through the open lattice into the dome. The playfulness of the dome is an outward expression of Christmas.
The dome encompasses you in it's quiet, introspective environment. The interior walls of the dome are mirrors, creating an atmosphere of self-consciousness and contemplation.
The wood structure is thicker at the base, and becomes slender towards the sky. At the base, the lattice is open, while further up the lattice is infilled. Two archways cut the hemispherical dome to create entryways.
The tree culminates in the centre with a glass vessel, into which gifts can be donated. The opaque vessel can be seen throughout the dome, and symbolizes the need for giving and sharing at Christmas. A round hole in the glass allows you to place gifts inside.
The structure has been designed so that it can be easily fabricated out of planar elements. The wood is treated and sealed, and the edges would be rounded, for safety.
Rendering of the Christmas Playground. Children are encouraged to climb the structure, and gifts can be donated in the glass vessel in the centre of the structure below.
Plan and elevation, indicating shape and dimensions of the structure.
Diagrams showing the progression of the Christmas Playground.