Playground Equipment System for Nijha
Over 25 years of timeless success
For Nijha, Hanno developed the concept for a modular playground equipment system built around movement, recognition and long-term use. More than 25 years later, the system is still part of Nijha’s standard assortment and continues to sell.
That continued success is the real value of the project. It shows how investing in good design can pay back over time, through durability, production efficiency, commercial relevance and lasting appeal. The system’s long market life also reflects the strength of a timeless design: clear, robust and still relevant after decades of use.
Designed as a modular system
The challenge was not to design a single playground object, but a flexible product system. Playground equipment has to be fun and intuitive for children, while also meeting strict demands for safety, vandal resistance, outdoor durability, affordability and production.
The concept was based on a limited number of repeatable parts. A simple system of stacked rings could be configured into different play functions, from spinning and rocking equipment to static elements such as bollards and pillars. This made it possible to create a recognisable product family without unnecessary complexity.
Flexible by design
Hanno translated the concept into a complete product design, including the form language, proportions, functional principles and modular setup. The design was kept clear and intuitive, so the products would be easy to understand for children and suitable for different public environments.
The modular approach also allowed for variation in configuration and colour. This gave Nijha a system that could adapt to different playgrounds, while keeping a consistent identity across the range. Its simple and timeless form language helped the product family remain recognisable without becoming dated.
Hanno conceived the concept for the modular playground system and developed it into a complete product design, including the form language, proportions, functional principles and modular setup. The design was kept clear and intuitive, so the products would be easy to understand for children and suitable for different public environments.
He defined the modular principles, the appearance of the product family and the way different functions could be created from the same basic system. The design also had to support the practical reality of public playgrounds: intensive use, outdoor exposure, safety requirements and vandal-resistant construction.
Hanno also helped guide the technical development, working through the practical demands of durability, production and long-term outdoor use. This close connection between concept, design and technical realisation helped create a product that could remain relevant, manufacturable and commercially successful for decades.
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