The Indigo Playgrounds are set within a public-private park adjacent the Indigo mixed-use complex containing office space, retail, food and beverage, a winter garden, and the East Hotel in Beijing’s northeast Jiuxianqaio sub-district. The two unique playgrounds are entirely separated, designed for the needs of different age groups.

The concept for the first playground, aimed at younger children, is to create a playroom within the park space. A canopy of bright orange circles and donut acts as a sunshade and casts playful shadows across the topography of the room. Kids enter the play area by stepping down two large wood benches, which further create a sense of enclosure and security for both the and their supervisors. A pinstripe rubber ‘carpet’ creates a soft and forgiving floor. Children can choose from a multiplicity of play equipment or invent their own games on the crescent-shaped hill and sandpit.

More adventurous children are welcomed further into the park to the ‘King of the Hill’ playground. Taking its namesake from the children’s game, a thrilling mountain occupies the center of the space. Arrays of pipes, climbing holds, and climbing ropes offer a range of challenges to reach the coveted peak. A nest-like lookout at the peak is home to one Maple, the true king of this hill. Luxurious white marble slides offer summiteers an express route down the mountain. Aside from the mountain, the playground also includes islands featuring swings, spinners, and an additional climbing structure. To complete the whole space a mist system creates cooling clouds of vapor around the base of the mountain and in the tree canopy.

All photos of playgrounds by Jonathan Leijonhufvud.

Photo of Ai Weiwei by Andy Wong/AP 
(retrieved from New Yorker http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/ai-weiweis-freedom-by-fiat)