A&D ANNUAL 2021

Annika Karskens

"Annika Karskens’ design addresses the importance of sensory and non-prescriptive play to a child’s development. Sensory play is any form of play which stimulates a child’s senses. It assists in developing language, social, motor, and lateral thinking skills. ‘Reflection Pod’ brings sensory learning opportunities into the playground environment. It is constructed around the properties of sunlight and water, and their capacity to produce dynamic and immersive experiences. Children are invited to engage in sensory play through sight, sound, and touch. They may physically engage with the water from above, passively experience the refracted light from within, or engage with the ‘sensory windows’. Through the gentle and comforting nature of each component, the design offers a space for calm, reflective play amongst the chaos of the playground environment. As a versatile space suitable for a range of playgrounds, ‘Reflection Pod’ suggests the potential for wider incorporation of sensory play in mainstream curriculum.