A groundbreaking collaboration between toy giant LEGO and athletic apparel company Nike has resulted in the creation of an innovative playground at Baoshan No. 2 Central Primary School in Shanghai. Working together with OLA Shanghai, LEGO China and Nike have developed a unique play space that seamlessly integrates physical movement with creative exploration. The project represents a new approach to playground design, drawing inspiration from the geometric principles of LEGO bricks to create an adaptive sports and play environment.
The playground's design is fundamentally based on the form and structural logic of a simple 2×3 LEGO brick, which serves as the foundational element for the entire project. This modular approach translates the iconic toy's building principles into real-world spatial and athletic functions. The design team reimagined the familiar LEGO brick geometry to create adaptable structures specifically designed for climbing, balancing, and exploration activities. These modular elements can be reconfigured into various play structures, encouraging children to construct their own routes through the playground and fundamentally redefine how play spaces can support physical movement.
Developed as part of Nike's Move to Zero sustainability initiative, the project aims to merge the fundamental concepts of play and physical activity in an environmentally conscious manner. The initiative reflects Nike's broader commitment to reducing waste and promoting active lifestyles among young people. The playground serves as a practical demonstration of how corporate partnerships can create meaningful educational environments that support both physical fitness and creative thinking.
The design process was significantly informed by LEGO China's Build the Change workshop, where local children used actual LEGO bricks to express their ideas about play and design preferences. Insights gathered from these interactive sessions directly influenced the project's emphasis on open-ended interaction and flexible play opportunities. The workshop results showed that children valued the ability to experiment, collaborate, and transform even brief recess periods into moments of creative movement and social interaction.
The modular design principles guide both the spatial layout of the playground and the individual play structures themselves. This approach allows students to continuously reimagine and reconfigure their play experience, ensuring that the playground remains engaging and challenging over time. The structures can be adapted for different age groups and varying levels of physical ability, making the space inclusive and accessible for all students at the primary school.
Through this innovative collaboration between Nike and LEGO China, the playground has become both a dynamic learning environment and a flexible platform for physical and creative exploration. The project demonstrates how thoughtful design can effectively support the intersection of education, environmental sustainability, and play. The playground at Baoshan No. 2 Central Primary School now serves as a model for how traditional play spaces can be reimagined to better serve children's developmental needs while promoting active lifestyles and creative problem-solving skills.
