Product Designer
The Hive
TEAM
TIMELINE
SKILLS
Me and 4 other students
12 weeks
Observational Research, Interviews, Focus Groups, Safety Analysis
2021 / PRODUCT DESIGN
Playgrounds have long stuck to traditional designs, materials, and themes, often resulting in boring, uninviting spaces that fail to encourage connection between parents and children. The lack of seating and shade creates an uncomfortable experience for caregivers, leaving them exposed to the elements without a designated space to relax or for their children to find them. Our goal was to tackle these issues by developing playground equipment that fosters inclusivity and strengthens the bond between children and caregivers.
The Hive is a modular seating instalment with integrated playground equipment, designed to create an inviting and comfortable space for caregivers while keeping them engaged in the play environment. Its living roof and natural wood frame offer an aesthetic, welcoming atmosphere that fosters community and a connection with nature. Inspired by the hexagonal shape of a beehive, The Hive symbolises community and camaraderie. Its modular design allows for customisation based on playground size and layout, making it a hub for family and community connection while providing protection from the elements.
Observational Research
DISCOVER
Observing parents and children at two well-known Christchurch playgrounds allowed us to identify key issues and drawbacks in playground design and usage.
Margaret Mahy Playground
Botanic Gardens Playground
Interviews
DISCOVER
We conducted parent interviews at the playgrounds to gather insights into their play habits and the reasons behind their choices. This primary research helped us understand user needs and preferences, guiding our design decisions.
Redefining the Brief
DEFINE
We synthesised our findings into actionable insights, defining our problem statement:
How might we design an item of playground equipment that contributes towards an inclusive environment by encouraging interplay between children and caregivers.
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Concept Development
DEVELOP
Based on our brief, we developed two contrasting playground concepts through a series of sketches.
The first concept focused on active parent-child play, integrating both adult-sized and child-sized equipment to encourage shared play experiences.
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The second concept emphasised passive parent involvement, offering a relaxing space for parents to sit and unwind while remaining part of the play environment. This design incorporated nature with a living roof, inspired by the Māori themes present at the Margaret Mahy Playground.
Focus Group
DEVELOP
We held a focus group with several parents, presenting our two concepts to gather insights and feedback. The key points were:
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The first concept was considered redundant. Parents felt they could usually make do with existing playground equipment if they wanted to play and weren’t overly concerned about having adult-sized options.
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The parents were drawn to the seating area in the second concept and loved the idea of the living roof. However, they raised concerns about safety if children played on top of the unit and the potential noise disrupting the peaceful environment for seated parents.
Based on this feedback, we decided to move forward with the second concept while incorporating the suggested changes.
Evaluation
DELIVER
We used the Six Thinking Hats method to evaluate our design, which allowed us to analyse it from multiple perspectives. Each hat represents a different mindset or angle, helping us identify areas that needed further refinement. This exercise motivated us to focus on key aspects like safety, technical details, structural integrity, fasteners, materials, and the specific structure and species for the living roof. This comprehensive approach ensured a well-rounded and thoroughly considered design.
Safety Analysis
DELIVER
We created a table to identify all potential hazards and risks associated with our design. The table outlined specific features and solutions that would be integrated to either prevent incidents from occurring or mitigate the impact if they did.
Final Design
DELIVER
The Hive is a modular seating instalment with integrated playground equipment, designed to create an inviting and comfortable space for caregivers while keeping them engaged in the play environment. Its living roof and natural wood frame offer an aesthetic, welcoming atmosphere that fosters community and a connection with nature. Inspired by the hexagonal shape of a beehive, The Hive symbolises community and camaraderie. Its modular design allows for customisation based on playground size and layout, making it a hub for family and community connection while providing protection from the elements.