dining with children is no easy feat. shanghai-based design firm X+Living have created a family-friendly dining space meeting the needs of both children and parents by using the appropriate colors and wall patterns. ‘the design concept came from an imaginary picture,’ explain the designers, ‘where a colorful hot air balloon rises up from an ancient castle — showing a strong power that carries a new life. the rising balloon, which is the designer’s metaphor of life force, represents children’s vitality.’
X+Living carefully designed a functional layout which meets the needs of both parents and children
images courtesy of SHAO feng
two-dimensional expression was taken to outline the patterns on the castle, symbolizing its charm and classic, as well as a sense of history. the sharp contrast of these two patterns is more like a narrative of the relationship between parents and children. bearing such a concept in mind, X+Living carefully designed a functional layout which meets both needs. under each giant balloon, there are different kinds of pools where kids could have fun, some pools are filled with bubbles, some are with sand and some with toys.
under each giant balloon, there are different kinds of pools where kids could enjoy themselves
there is a crawlway that connects all the pools, through which children can craw from the first pool to the second pool. these crawlways are winding and wavy, therefore children can have fun while climbing and crawling; some climbing ladders might reach to 2 meters high and then descend to the next pool, it allows parents walk under the crawlways. the crawlways are made of transparent acrylic, so parents could look after their children while they are playing inside.
while parents talk over coffee, kids can go play at their will
some climbing ladders might reach to 2 meters high and then descend to the next pool
the rising balloon, which is the designer’s metaphor of life force, represents children’s vitality, according to the designer
the design is a perfect combination of function and aesthetics
there is a crawlway that connects all the pools, through which children can craw from the first pool to the second pool
the crawlways are made of transparent acrylic, so parents could look after their children while they are playing inside
the dining area
details of the balloons
details of the seating area
wall details
project info:
design director: li xiang
design team: ren lijiao, liu huan, justin, fan chen
design company: x+living
project location: shanghai, china
furniture: xiangcasa
project type: commercial
area: 500㎡
completion time: 2017.07
photographer: shao feng
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: lynn chaya | designboom
