Blue Block Spillplaz Transportatiounsset by Imagination Playground

Blue Block Spillplaz Transportatiounsset by Imagination Playground is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award an Bronze in Spillplazequipement, Spillstrukturen an Ëffentlech Parken Design Competition Category.

BronzeSpillplaz· 2024

Blue Block Spillplaz Transportatiounsset

by Imagination Playground

Client: Imagination Playground

A' Design Award an Bronze Winner in Spillplaz Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #153057

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Blue Block Spillplaz Transportatiounsset

D'Blo Block Transportatiounsset ass déi neist Kreatioun vun Imagination Playground, dem Heem vun den ikonsche Big Blue Blocks. Dëst innovativt Spillsystem ass aus engem proprietäre, haltbare Schaumstoff gemaach an introduzéiert nei Blockformen, wéi de Main Frame a verschidde Designë vu Flilleken a Rieder, déi de Bau vu Gefierer inspiréieren, wärend et der loose-parts Spillphilosophie treu bleift. Entworf fir 3+ Bauakte gläichzäiteg, schaffe jonk Käpp zesummen fir Schëffer, Fligere an aner Gefierer ze kreéieren, sech virzestellen an ze montéieren.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Bronze

Blue Block Spillplaz Transportatiounsset ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Bronze, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un erausragend Designe vergi gëtt, déi sech duerch Kreativitéit, Erfindungsgab a Schlauheet ausgezeechnen. Bronze-Gewënner si voll Fäegkeet a opfälleg kreativ Wierker, déi déi grouss Erfahrung, d'Fantasie an d'Ressourceréichtum vun hire Designer bestätegen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Blue Block Spillplaz Transportatiounsset e héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Géigestand ass, bemierkenswäert professionell an innovativ. Dëst mam Bronze ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie an zeechent sech duerch Opmierksamkeet fir Detailer aus. Blue Block Spillplaz Transportatiounsset erfëllt Bedierfnesser exzellent, beréiert Wënsch, bezauberet Gefiller an erweckt Neigierecht.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Transportation Set is the newest creation by Imagination Playground, home of the iconic Big Blue Blocks. This innovative play system is made from a proprietary, durable foam and introduces new block shapes, like various designs of wings and wheels that inspire vehicles while staying true to the loose-parts play philosophy. Designed for 3+ builds at a time, young minds’ work together to create, imagine, and assemble boats, planes, and other vehicles. The Blue Blocks are waterproof and suitable for play, both indoors and out.
Dimensions & Packaging: The Transportation Set comes with over 100 block pieces of varying shapes that interlock for the construction of vehicles. Some of these shapes include straight and curved wings, steering wheels, seats, varying sizes of plugs and connectors, and blocks in hexagon, trapezoid, and chevron shapes.
Tags: Imagination Playground, foam blocks, playground, construction set, vehicles, loose-part play, portable playground
Production Technology: Imagination Playground is a patented loose-parts play system made from a closed-cell, proprietary foam formulation. Each block is handcrafted in Providence, Rhode Island.
Design Challenge: One of the most difficult aspects of the design process was creating shapes that were vague enough to be used for various vehicles, while still being recognizable to young children. Additionally, the first set cut and tested, the kids had difficulties fitting some of the pieces together. This was fixed for sets being cut going forward.
Research: The original Big Blue Blocks were conceptualized by architect David Rockwell. The original set underwent various play studies, emphasizing the importance of interacting with loose-parts for developing minds. The Transportation Set that is being nominated for this award is an add-on set that is complimentary to the existing Big Blue Block sets, while also being an independent play set for those who may not already own the Big Blue Blocks.
Inspiration: For the last 15 years, the Big Blue Blocks have been played with by millions of children in more than 75 countries worldwide. Watching creations come to life and friendships built through the stacking and connecting of the handcrafted blocks has inspired the design of this newest addition to the product family. Vehicles have always been one of the most popular structures created using the Blue Blocks and this set allows for builders to expand and advance these designs.
Project Duration: The initial design process for this specific set began in Spring 2021 and finished in Fall 2022, with the official launch of the set in Spring 2023. All of the Blue Block process happens in Providence, Rhode Island, USA - from the design, to the cutting and quality control. The first version of this set was launched in Panama City Beach, Florida, USA.
Operation Flow: Children use the lightweight. life-sized foam blocks to design and recreate vehicles of their choosing from a variety of block shapes and parts. Create a motorcycle to zoom through adventures on curving mountain highways, or a submarine for two sailors to explore under the sea. The loose-parts easily integrate with one another to build whatever the child can imagine!
The are two sizes of holes throughout the design for connecting pieces together, along with rectangular cut-out areas that allow for the wings to be attached when building an airplane. The larger hole allows the "plugs" to go through the main frame and hold wheels on, while the small connector holes allow the "noodles" to attach parts like the steering wheel and seats.
Image Credits: Image #2: Photographer Davista Photography, 2022
Image #3: Photographer Davista Photography, 2022