詳細説明

KOMORI is a swing playground structure developed through collaboration among playground designers, local community members, and physician Hiroyuki Benitani, who is also involved in supporting children requiring medical care.
Conventional swings are often difficult for children who have trouble maintaining posture due to physical disabilities or who are highly sensitive to sensory stimuli such as rapidly changing scenery or the coldness of metal. As a result, separation can occur even within playgrounds, preventing children from sharing the same play space. KOMORI was developed to allow these children to enjoy the experience of gentle swaying alongside others.
The design addresses two main issues found in conventional swings. One is excessive sensory stimulation, including visual motion and the coldness or smell of metal chains. KOMORI adopts an enclosed, cocoon-like form that softens external stimuli and creates a safe space for enjoying gentle movement. The other issue is postural stability. By enveloping the body, KOMORI makes it easier to maintain posture and allows users to experience swinging securely, even while lying down.
In use, children may enjoy swinging alone or gather inside together, while children requiring medical care can generate gentle motion independently or relax within slow, calming movement. As KOMORI has been introduced in parks and public spaces, it has also come to function as a calming place and a natural gathering spot for parents and children.
By subtracting unnecessary stimuli and enabling play in a lying position, KOMORI allows anyone to safely experience the comfort of gentle motion, creating a cocoon-like place where children can share time together in their own way, regardless of disability.
Awards
As part of the RESILIENCE PLAYGROUND Project, a development initiative for playground equipment accessible to all regardless of disability:
– 2024: GOOD DESIGN AWARD Grand Award (Prime Minister’s Award)
– 2023: KIDS DESIGN AWARD – Jury Chairperson’s Special Award

photo by. Kyoko Kataoka