Project Type: Public + Education
Location: West Sussex, UK
Lead Designer: Atelier Aitken
This preschool outdoor play court, although compact, is envisioned as a beautifully integrated learning landscape—an environment where imagination, exploration, and wellbeing come together in a seamless dialogue between indoors and outdoors.
At its heart, the design celebrates the diversity of childhood experience. A calming sensory zone offers a tranquil retreat, thoughtfully composed with textures, planting, and gentle stimuli to support relaxation, emotional regulation, and inclusive play— particularly for children with additional needs. In contrast, the adventure forest and green zone immerse children in a naturalistic setting, encouraging curiosity, risk-taking, and discovery through climbing, exploring, and interacting with living elements.
The sculpted play hill becomes both a landmark and a dynamic play feature, promoting physical development, spatial awareness, and imaginative storytelling. Meanwhile, the mini city zone introduces role play and social learning, allowing children to engage with familiar urban narratives in a safe, scaled environment.