Anji Play and Floor is Lava

Anji Play and Floor is Lava is an exhibit I helped bring to life, based on a childhood philosophy developed in Anji County, China, that encourages self-directed exploration. I designed the boxes in AutoCAD and cut the parts on a CNC router before hand-fabricating and assembling the pieces. The three large plywood boxes featured a variety of shapes and sized cutouts, inviting kids to crawl through, climb on, and rearrange them however they liked. We also built ramps with eco flooring, making it easier for kids to climb and stay steady as they moved around. To complete the experience, we added Floor is Lava elements — stepping stones, crossbeams, and a small climbing wall — creating an open-ended play space where kids could build their own adventures.