Adults typically make sense of an object and all the sensations it gives them by reference to linguistic and conceptual categories. For new born kids non-linguistic practices come first. The space of the MAXI-ooh! is therefore designed in relationship to a new ergonomic unit: the Babult [1baby + 1adult = 1 BABULT = Unit of playful Learning] .It is a concept design for an innovative playground for kids from 0 to 5 years old. Each BABULT learns by wandering and exploring a continuous space defined by gradual morphologic variations, a smooth space as Deleuze/Guattari would call it. In the MAXI-ooh! space is defined by a field of cells of different dimensions and porosity rather than by walls.

Ground surface is differentiated and folded with the aim of creating an artificial landscape of dunes and niches while all the other structures are hanged up to the ceiling. A forest of water, sounds and smells where the Babults are immersed and can interact with. Babult is not interested in gadgets or inventions but in communication, he’s not interested in studying but in learning by doing. As a consequence all the interactive systems are integrated in the geometry and in the materials of the project augmenting the embedded intelligence of the environment and the potential of learning of the Babult in a dynamic, intuitive but not-prescriptive way.

Two extreme models of articulations characterize the space of the Maxi-ooh!: intensive differences and extensive articulation. The former is represented by microclimatic environments (sound, noise, humidity, light, color, temperature) that generate a series of overlapping gradients in the room; the latter is produced by surface operations in order to create spaces for touching, biting, climbing and wrapping. The combinatorial application of microclimatic gradients and surface operations gives rise to a variety of immersive and playful environment that are seamlessly integrated within the fluid space of MAXI-ooh!

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