Wednesday, 30 April 2008 |
Yummy! Wow! Ooops! The playful, colorful and juicy Taka-Tuka-Land kindergarten in Berlin evokes a rambunctious reaction. You hear the kids at play. You see the bright colors. You sense the kids are happy. So it is no wonder that the students who designed and created this funhouse call their approach “sensuous architecture.”
Baupiloten is a group of architecture students who during their studies at Faculty VI, Institute for Architecture at Berlin Technical University (Technische Universität Berlin) develop their own projects from concept to implementation under professional guidance. Architect Susanne Hoffmann founded Baupiloten (Bau=build, Piloten=pilot) in 2003 and has headed it since 2004.
The Taka-Tuka-Land kindergarten was originally erected as a temporary solution, but with the fantastic Baupiloten approach to the refurbishment, it has become a permanent place for children.
The Taka-Tuka-Land is part of the Pippi Longstocking lore created by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. Pippi in Taka-Tuka Country is a movie based on one of her novels. The children at the kindergarten and their teachers created collages, models, drawings and ideas based on Taka-Tuka Land with bridges, huts, merry-go-rounds made of blossoms and thrones made of seashells. The Baupiloten students then spent several days with the children observing their daily routines, their schedules and their ways of communication.
From this extensive groundwork, the design story for the space was developed. The building itself is Pippi’s old oak tree that contains a lemonade factory. The lemonade breaks through the bark of the tree and flows outside creating padded play areas. The story of the building is a trip through the seven stages of the lemon tree, each facilitating a different activity: The lemonade tree, Glittering lemonade in the sun, Lemonade drops, The lemonade island, Waiting for the parents, Lemonade gallery, The bark breaks open, and Delving into lemonade. Pippi’s most likely verdict would be “Jätte god!” By Tuija Seipell
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Thursday, 24 April 2008 |
We don’t care if it’s winter or summer, these European baby sleeping baggies are just too cute to keep to ourselves. We also don’t care that we happen to have no babies around, we bought these just to adore and to play dress-up with our teddy bears.
But for the rest of you who actually like to buy these for real babies, we have good news. They are now available for purchase. We are right now gearing up to get ready to launch our online store with the rest of our collection, but with winter still around in some parts of the world, we thought it best to offer these to you now. Available in black only. And two sizes: 3 to 6 months and 6 to 12 months. Price: $225, including delivery. By Tuija Seipell - orders through
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(Our online store will be up and running in June but we had to offer these now as the demand has been high)
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Tuesday, 11 March 2008 |
It is tough not to adore much of the wonderful, yet often high-priced,
kiddie fashion and baby stuff offered at designer shops. Of course, at
the other end of the spectrum, there are the truly hideous knitted and
crocheted craft-fair rejects that also pose as “cute for kids.”
Somewhere in the middle are a few companies that select items that are
hand-made — or at least look it — and cute, yet manage to be fun and
fashionable, too. One of these is blabla
in Atlanta, Georgia. We love their international animal tees and the
colorful Peruvian knits but the one item that we are ordering in
multiples, is the knitted cotton backpack. That there isn’t a kid in
our team here, is beside the point. It says “ages 3 AND UP” on the
order page, does it not? By Tuija Seipell
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Thursday, 07 February 2008 |
Don't you hate it when you see something and think 'why wasn't this around when I was a kid?'.
Tantrum
is the UK's first dedicated children's hairdressing company and has
just launched their first of many salons on the oh-so chic Kings Road
in London.
Catering from newborns to 15 years olds, this is a hairdressing haven
for everyone – especially parents who are pretty much guaranteed a
tear-free experience. And why would you cry, when you are the hippest
kid in hip-town.
The salon is separated into two sections. The first, 'Moon' is for
children up to the age of 7, and is set in an enchanted forest complete with its own locomotive train that runs around the styling
stations. Children get their hair cut in a variety of vehicles from a
Mercedes to a plane and also have individual flat screen TV's to keep
them entertained.
The second zone, 'Vogue' is a bit funkier and is for 7-15 year olds.
Looking something like a mix between a pop stars' dressing room and
backstage at fashion week, this is sure to bring out the inner diva in
any older child. Coupled with a games room housing a huge TV with a
Wii/PS3 and their very own juice bar to sit at, your children may never
want to leave.
What we especially love about Tantrum though (and yes there is more to
love), is that to finish off the experience, children can have their
photo taken with their new 'do, which is emailed to the parent and
displayed on the celebrity wall at the salon ready for the child to
sign on their next visit. How cool is that! By Brendan McKnight (spottted by TCH reader -Ned Gammell)
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Thursday, 20 December 2007 |
Ask a child what their favorite subject is at school, and chances are
they’ll say recess. It’s the one time during the day when they are
almost absolutely free to make decisions for themselves – from who to
play with, what to play, and where to play. And as children grow, the
social dynamics of who can play where shifts and an age-based pecking
order ensues.
The Netherlands-based design team at Carve integrate
architectural expression into their playground design thereby
generating unique play experiences for children of all ages. Don’t let
the kids know, however that the Carve team strives to encourage a
cognitive process – even during free time. This new equipment and play
structures stimulate decision-making, group and continuous play (use of
the same equipment in varying way) encouraging children to climb, hang,
swing, skate, slide, run, jump, vault, hide.
One of Crave’s creation in particular, the wall-holla, has received
special notoriety as it was nominated for the Dutch Design Awards in
2006. Thirty children at once can climb, crawl, roll and maneuver
through the large fence-like structure. Older children are able to
scale the climbing wall or just relax and look out over the domain
they’ve waited countless years to control. By Andrew J Weiner.
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Monday, 13 August 2007 |
Forget your traditional definition of an amusement park, Wannado City leaves behind the cotton candy, the solicitors of large stuffed animals, the mindless entertainment and trash. Instead the “city” has redefined child entertainment with aspirational activities, all of which are framed around the question: “What do you wanna do when you grow up?”
Wannado City was crafted from the vision of Mexican-born Luis Javier Laresgoiti, who had a eureka moment while watching his daughter “play executive” on his business phone. Laresgoiti, with the backing of several major corporations has crafted a dream world where children are encouraged to take on an adult profession and see where it takes them. The park is located in Sawgrass Mills Mall in Southern Florida.

Each venue has its own concentration, such as the Motorola-sponsored M-Lab that focuses on innovation and invention. The M-Lab turns each visitor is given a white lab coat and transformed into an “M-Ventor.” The children are encouraged to work together on a technology-based game to solve a difficult problem. Once they’ve solved the situation at hand, they’re greeted with a congratulatory “Mission Accomplished” banner.
M-Lab however, goes far above and beyond the standard protocol for children’s playthings. The space was designed in collaboration with Motorola and Gensler, a self-proclaimed “global design, planning and strategic consulting firm.” The M-Lab lures passer-bys with its façade – clad in stark aluminum and panelite – which contrasts with the surrounding “quaint village” motif. Inside there are seven chambers, each meticulously designed depending on the room’s task at hand. The end result is a realistic series of rooms that embrace each child’s fantasy of becoming the next influential innovator. By L. Harper
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Wednesday, 25 April 2007 |
Here's one for parents nostalgic for the retro art of "customization" - a baby bed made of cardboard that comes with the implicit invitation for creative mums and dads to paint it, graffiti it....um, decoupage it. Delivered plat-packed from France, it's an assemble yourself deal (perfect for the IKEA generation who still think living in a converted warehouse is a groovy idea) and apparently ticks off all safety standards. Until, presumably, a small child decides to suck on it. Cute, simple, chic....and soggy. By Sarah W
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Thursday, 02 November 2006 |
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Lets
face it. Being a hospitalized kid sucks. Apart from the obvious
physical issues, the mental issues such as boredom can keep sick
children feeling very low indeed. Design team, Jetske Verdonk, have
come up with this simple and fun solution to trailing a drip frame
around all day.
The Zieken+Huis is a drip-cum-tricycle which
allows the pint-size patient to zip around the ward whilst remaining
attached to their vital fluids and intravenous medication. In addition
to this three wheeling wonder, the release of a curtain frame which
drapes around the patient's bed has also been launched.
The frame allows 'get well' cards to be hung around it, acting as a decoration for the otherwise sterile looking beds. by Billy T
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Thursday, 05 October 2006 |
Cool designs does not have to be limited to
spaces used by adults as we see with these unique areas designed to
enhance places of learning.
Forget the "concrete jungle"
archetypal school, complete with bars on windows. This school's
hallways (pictured above) have been inspired by the imaginary landscape
of the Silver Dragon. This environment is created to read like a story
book; the further you progress through the hallways, the higher your
senses are delighted. With shimmering walls, glowing ceilings and a
fantasy feel resonating throughout the architecture, the children
engage on a higher social level within the school environment.
Traditionally,
libraries also suffer from an image problem. Hordes of books coupled
with the 'sshhhh' factor doesn't make for a very cool environment. By
installing colorful interiors such as oversized book sleeves, a
learning space such as the library is transformed into an area which
kids see as cool, and therefore are inspired to read and learn.
A
tree-inspired day care center is a far cry from fake grass enhanced
playgrounds. The tree trunk is the very foundation of the center, and
as such creates the security blanket for the entire structure. This
center evokes a warmth which the youngsters respond to. Dream Blossoms
grow out of the trunk and create sleeping areas for the habitants to
snuggle and nap in. Above the blossoms sprawls the canopy of the
In
Lego-bright contrast to the gloomy fate H.C. Andersen prescribed to his
original Little Mermaid (that would be death, no less), today's blond
little school-going Danes are encouraged to do the sort of things for
which some of us got spanked.
Visual
artists have created a school with fascinating interiors that feature
high window seating for watching the world outside; green platforms
with round, red holes where discussions can buzz and bubble, and large
upholstered tubes where kids can hide with a good book or spend some
time alone. You can do that at school? Unfortunately, only in Denmark.
Children's
bookstores, on the other hand, have not suffered by the traditional
libraries image problem. Generally, these stores are designed and
merchandised to inspire children to enter and purchase.
The Kids Republic
bookstore in Beijing (pic below) has taken that concept and run with
it. Incorporating the core design elements of a kid's playground, these
slipperyslide-inspired-shelves house books in an incredibly fun way.
Breaking from the traditional table and chair reading areas, padded L
shaped reading stools are used and enjoyed by tiny readers. Dull
lighting is replaced by snakelike fittings that radiate a variety of
colors whilst providing adequate light to read with.
The
choices for kid friendly restaurants, where both parents and kids can
enjoy a meal and an environment which caters to both are rare finds.
McDonalds have probably lost count of how many times they have dialed
911 to have a parent rescued from inside a playground slippery tube
where they have been stuck whilst attempting to get their child to come
home.
In a beautiful Dutch village, 10 minutes out from Amsterdam's centre, a parents dream like, kid friendly restaurant exists.
Praq
is a restaurant where parents, outerwear and even business people can
enjoy a meal and co exist without complaint. Children feel the sense of
independence by being seated in a kids area within moms view. There,
they can play with giant puzzles, draw, and order from their very own
menu whilst seated at their specially designed kids table. The secret
to the restaurants success is the use of space.
Praq has been
careful in separating these eating spaces whilst still allowing a
parent to keep an eye on their child. The light spacious room creates
the impression of separation, whilst keeping safety in mind. The
children's food is so good, they don't need to promote it by adding in
a free toy.
Traditional cooking schools have
always looked like a giant classrooms full of mini kitchens. A kids
cooking school in Japan has broken that mould by having design guru
Moureaux create a studio space and new corporate identity for them.
The
cooking school, which is set in the heart of a shopping area in the
city of Kyoto, has created a space which eliminates the intimidation
factor which students encounter when entering cooking schools. By
seating the class amongst brightly colored decor and sleek table and
chairs, the environment feels less like a class room. Here the kids can
not only cook in the casual teaching environment, they can socialize
and eat their homework too.
With U.K parents said to be lashing out a cool GBP 1 billion
a year on kids birthday parties, its easy to see that the kids party
industry is a gold mine. As children's taste develop, so too does their
demand for the latest and greatest (think Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka).
For some parents, the age old sleep over is being replaced by a girls
night out at Alton Towers Hotel in th U.K.
The
hotel has it's own children's Sleep over Suite, a theme room which
caters for up to six sleeping princesses who can indulge in the
ultimate girls slumber party. The sound proof room is perfect for 3am
giggling fits and Justin Timberlake blearing throughout the night.
The
suite is divided into two areas. The party area features an over the
top entertainment system, karaoke machine ('I will Survive' - Chipmunk
version) mini dance floor and a pink fridge filled with ice cream. The
sleeping area boasts chill out beds which connect into one big bed for
six occupants, a wall to wall mirrored bathroom which is flowing with
pampering products from U.K's leading top brand superdrug (limitless
branding opportunities here).
At £300
pounds per night (US $560), mom and dad have outsourced the kids
birthday party and only have to worry about the drop off and pick up.
Offering a kid a lollypop to welcome them into hospital is so 1950's. Today, that sort of a deal just doesn't cut it.
Instead
of bribery through confectionary, this children's hospital in London
has reinvented the concept of infirmary and transformed it into
inFUNery. Adorned with cheerful, gently winding hospital corridors
which lead to wards which look more like kids bedrooms, the hospital
has mapped out themes for each of the wards. From the Seashell Ward
located on Beach level one, through to the Sky level, each kids ward
uses decor and medical equipment that is colorful, creative looking and
non threatening.
With a glass atrium dividing the hospital,
patients from either side of the wards can look across to see an
inviting garden filled with plants, trees and yes, Juggling clowns.
From
cool schools to hip learning environments, kids design is forging
ahead, meaning the next generation of adults will have been exposed to
the elements of cool since childhood, creating adults with a hightened
sense of good design. If you know of other interesting kids spaces, let
us know. by Billy T
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Thursday, 31 August 2006 |
Alert: new toy craze approaching. Pontiki
- it's Mr Potato head for the noughties. For those of you who don't
remember the cult plastic toy, it became a must have for kids who
loved creating their own unique Mr Potato heads by choosing his facial
features.
Pontiki is a cuter and more sophisticated version,
which we are predicting will become just as popular with adults as it
will with kids. Pontikis little pod bodies (from egg shapes to car
shapes) can be customized with hands, legs, eyes, feet that are easily
inserted into the multitude of holes on the pod's bodies to create your
very own original toy-of-art. by Billy T
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Thursday, 24 August 2006 |
Would you like to Wack the Wiggles? Do you wanna kick the shit out of
the Teletubbies? If the answer is yes, its because you have been slowly
brainwashed to know every word of their songs, and you are harbouring
an acute case of CERS or Children's Entertainers Resentment Syndrome.
Dont worry, there is HELP !
Over a series of days, replace those Irritating Children's Cd's that are driving you nuts with the totallycool collection from BABY ROCKS RECORDS.
This hip CD series covers all your favorite bands by presenting them in
baby tunes, from Bjork and Pink Floyd, through to Metallica and Zeplin.
With a wide selection of cool bands to choose from, you and Junior will be stage diving off the Crib within hours. by Billy T
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Tuesday, 01 August 2006 |
Anyone who's brought home a newborn baby will be thanking the gods right now at the site of this fabulous new product. Now instead of rocking baby to sleep in their arms half the night exhausted parents can hand the time consuming task over to the Lullabub cot rocker an innovative product that will gently rock your babies cot automatically and unassisted in a harmonic rhythm to naturally settle and soothe a baby to sleep. The Lullabub subtly mimics the motion of a car and assists in the routine of settling babies. Peace! At last! by Lisa Evans
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Monday, 31 July 2006 |
In terms of design, baby strollers have come a
long way in the past five years, to the point where they barely even
resemble the clunky old school push chairs of old. Nowadays, strollers
are about as hi-tech as a luxury car, and just as good looking. The
latest comes to us from the Norway.
The Xplory stroller
elevates your child so it can be used as a high chair. We're loving its
ad (which shows the child and the stroller as part of a funky, urban
interior). It almost looks like an ad for a trendy clothing or sports
shoe brand. by Lisa Evans
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Friday, 28 July 2006 |
As childrens fashion has skyrocketed with an explosion of labels that would make mom and dad envious, childrens interiors have undergone a similar groovy make-over. We're loving kiddies, a castor wheel collection specially designed for the colorful world of kiddy's bedrooms. Apart from being gorgeous with their cartoonish faces in bright colors - the castors make life easy in juniors room by making furniture mobile. They can be used on everything from drawers, swivel chairs, children's beds, cradles and toy containers to bedside cabinets and computer desks. by Billy T
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Thursday, 22 June 2006 |
Gone are the days when fashion was something only
adults cared about. Babies and toddlers are now expected to be on the
pulse with what's on the catwalks too. Enter Freddy Says & Rockabye baby,
2 admittedly cute kids label that makes printed t-shirts, including
images of iPods and headphones, so junior can look just as cool as
Daddy." by Lisa Evans
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