Playground at Tanintornwittaya School by Kaizentopia Company Limited

The New playground’s Tanintornwitttaya School in Don Mueang, Bangkok, covers an area of 220 Square meters. It was designed as an extension of the existing playground within Tanintornwitttaya School, a primary education institution. The original playground setting features large, native trees, with a prominent tree “Burmese Rosewood” at its center.

Inspired by the game “Snakes and Ladders,” the designer used this concept to layout the playground and define entry and exit points, preserving all the surrounding trees that provide natural shade usable by students throughout the day. The redesign transformed a small area into a large usable area and created a learning environment equipped with a variety of play equipment suitable for physical exercise, essential for physical and cognitive development through interactive and sensory play.

The space for the playground is open to the landscape with the presence of sunlight, wind and outdoor activities. The horizontal plane serves as a space where children run and play while the grass slopes and climbing nets help the children improve their physical balance through climbing and vertical movements. Within the playground, the layout is thoughtfully designed to ensure seamless continuity between each play station. The entire structure is elevated to two levels using a robust steel framework. The lower level features a continuous running track that weaves through circular paths, complemented by designated climbing points that provide access to the upper level. Additionally, specific areas are strategically placed for ascending to the upper level or for sliding down to the lower level, enhancing the interactive play experience. The playground includes 11 play stations, Featuring running tracks, Monkey bars, Balance beams, Climbing nets, Inclines for balance, Circular wall spaces, Short and long wooden slides, a sandpit, and an upper-level for passive activity area.

Physically, each ‘Hardscape’ area was designed to accommodate the large trees by setting structural posts at a “Root Protection Distance” of five meters, allowing coexistence with the trees and suitable structural extensions for climbing activities. Material choices prioritized child safety, such as select rounded posts, safe surface textures and The area below the climbing point to designed with soft foam underneath flooring to support the child to minimize injury risk and naturally toned colors that blend with synthetic wood materials and shading structures to harmonize with the surrounding tree environment. Brightly colored materials at specific play points and vibrant wall paintings educate children about various animal species, such as marine and avian types, fostering positive developmental interactions and aiding memory retention through color recognition of their surrounding objects.

• Other credits:
Client: Taninthonwittaya School, Bangkok
Landscape Archiect : Kaizentopia Co.,Ltd
CS Engineer : Mr.Thongchai Boonkerd
Main Contactor : V&E Engineering Co.,Ltd.
Softscape Contractor: R.O.G. Greenspace&Service Co.,Ltd.
Photographer : Panoramicstudio

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