Little Houses: A Sensory Play Space Divider by Neringa Orlenok

Award-winning design that fosters creativity and sensory skills in children

The design of Little Houses was sparked by the observation that children often create their own personal spaces at home using blankets and other household items. The panels, shaped like little houses, can be arranged to create a personalized play area. The panels feature large and small holes, serving as abstract windows and doors, and offering various sensory activities. The ability to move the panels freely enables children to create their own shapes and spaces, fostering their creativity and imagination.

What sets Little Houses apart from other designs is its unique properties. It is a modular space divider designed for early childhood learning environments, creating different activity zones in any child-centered setting. Each panel can rotate 330 degrees and folds flat when not in use. The design includes 685 holes for various sensory activities, helping children develop sensory skills, fine motor skills, self-expression, and communication skills.

The Sensory Play Space Divider is produced using a CNC milling machine to cut panels from laminated plywood. The assembly and finishing touches are done by hand, including sanding each of the 685 holes for a pleasant tactile experience. A specially designed hinge allows the panels to move in both directions and fold flat, adding to the design's uniqueness and functionality.

The project, which started in September 2014 in Vilnius and finished in August 2015, was a result of close cooperation with modern kindergartens. This collaboration allowed the design team to understand the needs of children and educators, leading to the creation of a tool that fosters creativity and learning. The biggest challenge during the design process was the hinge, which was designed to be as unnoticeable and uninteresting to children as possible, ensuring the focus remained on the panels and the sensory activities they offer.

Little Houses has been recognized for its innovative design, winning the Golden A' Baby, Kids and Children's Products Design Award in 2018. The award is granted to outstanding and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics. This accolade is a testament to the design's contribution to advancing art, science, design, and technology in the realm of children's products.