ABOUT THE PROJECT

OUTHOUSE design was invited to bring the outside in for one of Australia’s premium shopping centres, by designing a unique and inclusive natural play experience. This little pocket play space for the Stockland Green Hills shopping centre, takes imagination to a whole new level. Being an internal space, this project came with the challenges of designing within an extremely limited and unusual layout, with the added impact of working with an existing tiled surface. The tiny pocket play space caters for families and children of all ages and considering all-inclusive design in small spaces.

Working with the 7 Senses Foundation and Kidsafe NSW, OUTHOUSE design focused on interweaving key components of the 7 Senses philosophy within this small, but critical space. The inspiration behind the overall design was drawn from the East Maitland’s Historical Hunter River, and its rich and diverse Flora and Fauna. It was important to include a combination of natural and man-made materials, as this provides a balance of longevity, tactile surfaces and interactive play elements. This pocket play space offers children an opportunity to explore their surrounding environment, and educate them through discovery, fun challenges and interactive activities.

Key features include the delightful timber clad story telling cubby which caters for those quiet moments, just to get away and read a book or sit for a moment and grab an afternoon nap. The timber balancing logs create an undulating landscape, whilst the crawl tunnel offers fun and activity. Children can traverse the imaginative winding hunter river and spot the native fish swim upstream and chat to friends and family via the interactive talk tubes. Not forgetting the flexible forest and interactive play panels, this pocket play space packs a punch for all.