News

Case Study: Slovenian Natural Playscapes Designed with FoamCoating

Playscapes by Ronja Osovnikar Šraj developed in collaboration with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maribor
Earlier this year, we teamed up with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maribor to run a project competition for Product Design students. The winning concept, Playscapes by Ronja Osovnikar Šraj, was presented at the BIG Design 2024 fair in the historic centre of Ljubljana in October. In this article, we share the experiences and ideas behind this concept, which we hope will inspire you to get started with FoamCoating.

Concept

These foam play structures draw inspiration from the breathtaking views and diverse landscapes of Slovenia, transforming them into a vibrant, interactive space for children and adults alike. The design reinterprets natural elements such as sunsets, mountains (Triglav), hills and the sea through abstract forms that spark the imagination and encourage exploration.

The structure is more than just a playground – it’s an interactive public sculpture that pays homage to Slovenia’s natural beauty. The abstract sculptural elements encourage children to use their imagination, turning a simple curve or swirl into a mountain, a dragon, or even a spaceship. This blend of art and play allows each user to create their own unique adventure, promoting creativity and cognitive development.

Ronja's concept was spot on from the very first draft, so we asked her what helped her understand how to work with FoamCoating.
“What really helped me understand how to work with FoamCoating was seeing it in action. The moment I discovered the bounce of the Pouf Blocks during the initial presentation, everything clicked. That hands-on interaction, combined with seeing examples of how it had been used in previous projects immediately sparked new ideas. It wasn’t just about understanding the material technically — it was about feeling its potential and visualising creative, playful and practical ways to implement it. Embracing childlike imagination was also essential in designing the playground, allowing me to create spaces that inspire exploration and joy. That mix of tactile experience and visual inspiration gave me a clear direction from the start.” — Ronja Osovnikar Šraj
If you are an architect or designer, receive free samples of our SoftFlex and FlexPlus materials delivered to your door. Request samples here
Safety and inclusivity are central to the design. Made entirely of soft foam, the structure provides a safe environment for active play, while its dynamic shapes are accessible to all ages. Parents are not left out—dedicated areas within the structure invite them to watch over their children or play alongside them, creating a shared experience that strengthens family bonds.

In addition to being a fun and engaging playground, the structure serves an educational function. Its abstract forms reflect Slovenia’s natural terrain, offering children and adults the opportunity to learn about the country's landscapes while interacting with the space.

Production

Every part is designed to reduce waste and simplify production. All shapes were cut from 2 foam blocks 200x150x110 cm and negatives were used to complete each piece. They were then seamlessly coated with FlexPlus, making them waterproof, UV resistant and durable. No supporting structures were used, but the playground still retains its stability and structure.
Minimal waste: 4 play elements were created from 2 foam blocks 200x150x110 cm, using most of the negatives
"Developing the prototype was a process of refinement where I focused on keeping the design to match the proportions of the human body while ensuring it could be cut efficiently with minimal waste. It was all about balancing comfort and practicality, fine-tuning every detail to create something ergonomic, intuitive and sustainable." — Ronja Osovnikar Šraj
An obstacle course of a larger or smaller size can be built from modules of the same height (75 cm along the edge)

Collaboration

This project is part of our collaboration with the University of Maribor. Earlier this year, we teamed up with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering to run a project competition for Product Design students.
The task was to create a “Children’s Playground with Parental Inclusion”. The work began back in April with a lecture and presentation on FoamCoating technology and a Q&A session with students and their supervisors, Sonja Šterman, Andrej Cupar and Jasmin Kaljun. Twelve students submitted their concepts and, based on our feedback, they refined their ideas in two rounds of improvements. We then selected the winner based on the following criteria:

  • Functionality — a variety of uses for different public spaces;
  • Originality — a new, fresh idea, modern but designed for the long term;
  • Inclusivity — can be used by children of different ages, as well as by their parents together;
  • Specifically for FoamCoating — it must be designed and developed specifically for this technology and material;
  • Contribution to child development — consider psychology of colour, play scenarios, use of imagination, etc.
"Designing for an actual company and a specific user is an invaluable learning experience for students, who gain support for their creative development through assignments and mentorship. Additionally, top-performing students have the chance to showcase their work publicly. In all cases, this type of collaboration provides serious students with a unique opportunity to understand the entire design process—from initial concept to final solution, including 3D visualization—and, for the best among them, the opportunity to see and test their products in real life." — Sonja Šterman
The winning concept, Playscapes, was presented at the BIG Design 2024 exhibition in the historic centre of Ljubljana in October. Ronja Osovnikar Šraj along with several other students received Perspektivni 2024 – industrijsko oblikovanje award for her work.
"Seeing the design come to life from a 3D model to a physical object was incredibly rewarding. There's a unique joy in watching something you’ve only visualised materialise, especially when people begin interacting with it. I loved how children immediately gravitated toward it, finding creative ways to use the shapes for play. Adults were a bit hesitant at first, but once one person took the leap, others quickly followed — some to relax, others to pose for pictures. Seeing everyone engage with it just as I envisioned was truly fulfilling. This experience has ignited my passion for creating designs that bring joy to those who interact with them, and I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity." — Ronja Osovnikar Šraj
All in all, this is not just a playground, but an experience that celebrates the beauty of Slovenian landscapes while promoting creativity, collaboration and exploration for everyone.
"This year's project with Sixinch was an exciting and rewarding challenge for the students. The material, with its specific properties and potential finishes, offered a rich creative platform. The target audience—in this case, children—added another layer of inspiration and complexity to the process. I believe we have developed several aesthetic and functional concepts that could effectively enliven public spaces for which they were designed. A highlight of this collaboration was the resulting prototype, which was excellently tested during Design Month. Through widespread implementation, these playgrounds could inspire creativity, strengthen community ties, and promote healthy, active lifestyles across various public spaces." — Sonja Šterman