Moments

Biophilic Playground

Designing immersive, nature-oriented play through biomimicry

As part of my DMA154 course, I had the opportunity to work closely with esteemed professor and designer Rebeca Méndez to explore how biomimicry and sustainable design can reimagine children’s play spaces.

Together, we developed the proposal for Anthill, a Glen Park Elementary playground in my Bay Area community.

Today’s playgrounds often rely on synthetic, uniform structures that do little to spark imagination or connect children to the natural world.

We set out to challenge that.
Inspired by the underground networks and passive ventilation systems of anthills, we proposed a nature-integrated playground that invites exploration, wonder, and learning through movement.

Plans and Drawings

The design responds to Glen Park Elementary’s sloped site by optimizing vertical occupation and visual connections to the surrounding neighborhood, while preserving pre-existing structures. Careful attention was given to access points for drop-off and pick-up, sunlight orientation, site circulation, and traffic patterns.

Modeling CAD
with Autodesk

Editorial Preview

I arrived at 2 core design responses

Designing with Biophilic Principles
Connecting through Editorial Design

Designing with Biophilic Principles
Visual Connection with Nature

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Presence of Water
Future-state concept

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Connection with Natural Systems
Future-state concept

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Gallery of similar images + desc of process and design choice