Spanish designers create a 'weightless' playground inside a kaleidoscope
by Kim Megson | 16 Nov 2015
A Spanish design studio has created a children’s playground with a mind-bending twist: it's set inside a kaleidoscope.
The interiors of their hexagonal-shaped structure appear to constantly shift due to optical effects caused by reflections and movement.
“Kaleidoscopes have been enjoyed by multiple generations,” said Juan Manzanares Suarez and Cristian Santandreu Utermark – the creative duo behind Spanish studio A2arquitectos. “We observed the optical effects of these toys and decided to build one on a large scale so that children can interact with it.”
The duo said their playground – located in the grounds of the Hotel Castell dels Hams in Majorca’s Porto Cristo – provokes “a strange sensation of weightlessness” for those inside it.
“Variables such as external elements, natural light and the movement of children generate a set of lighting effects and reflections that modify the space and create multiple worlds when people are inside,” they added.
The 90sq m (968sq ft) kaleidoscope contains several different rooms and compartments to be explored, each using different colours, textures, circular patterns and fluorescences. The main colour theme is pink; chosen for its “relaxed and excitement provoking” qualities.
Kaleidoscopic effects are increasingly an inspiration for architects and designers. In June this year, a three-dimensional temporary installation at the Vivid Sydney festival allowed visitors to enter a dome-shaped kaleidoscope made from 320 geometric shapes.
Meanwhile, Shanghai’s G+PARK museum features a wedding ‘Rainbow Chapel’ in which adventurous couples tie the knot in a room of 3,060 glass panels painted in 65 bright translucent colours.
The playground is the creation of Spanish studio A2arquitectos Credit: Laura Torres Roa
The designers said their illusions create 'a strange sensation of weightlessness”' Credit: Laura Torres Roa
Pink is the dominant colour used because of its 'relaxed and excitement-provoking' qualities Credit: Laura Torres Roa
Each room uses different colours, textures and patterns Credit: Laura Torres Roa
The designers said: 'We observed the optical effects of these toys and decided to build one on a large scale so that children can interact with it'
Credit: Laura Torres Roa
The park can be enjoyed by children staying at the Hotel Castell dels Hams in Majorca’s Porto Cristo Credit: Laura Torres Roa
10 Aug 2015
Kaleidoscopic wedding chapel offers colourful venue for adventurous couples in Shanghai’s G+PARK museum cluster
11 Jun 2015
Shirane + Miyazaki's 3D kaleidoscope installation stars at Vivid Sydney light festival
A Spanish design studio has created a children’s playground with a mind-bending twist: it's set inside a kaleidoscope. The interiors of their hexagonal-shaped structure appear to constantly shift due to optical effects caused by reflections and movement. “Kaleidoscopes have been enjoyed by multiple generations,” said Juan Manzanares Suarez and Cristian Santandreu Utermark – the creative duo behind Spanish studio A2arquitectos. “We observed the optical effects of these toys and decided
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