LA-MA-LU
In collaboration with Anand Shah, Summum Engineering, Rotterdam

The name La-Ma-Lu is derived from the three words Lalin, Maen, and Luwih, meaning path, play, and longer in Balinese. The proposed playground site is located at the intersection of 3 paths. The design extends this junction with the help of a playful deck, therefore the name La-Ma-Lu. The building material used for the playground is bamboo. With its lightweight nature, circular section, and being used in its natural form, bamboo provides a warm, earthy, and inviting texture to the building elements. The deck structure is designed as a Mobius strip, creating plenty of opportunities for the kids to play. Moreover, the structure supporting the Mobius deck is designed to encourage the kids to climb and interact with the building in several ways. The Mobius deck is covered with an organic doubly curved suspended roof, which provides shade for the kids and their parents. The many capabilities of bamboo as a building material allow us to create such a freeform design, which generates curiosity and fosters interaction.

A few months ago, Anand Shah, Summum Engineering, and QX embarked on an exciting journey – a playground design competition that we worked on during our free time. It was a perfect opportunity to explore our shared fascination with bamboo as a sustainable and versatile material. While we didn’t win the competition, the process itself was immensely rewarding and a great deal of fun! Working from different corners of the world—Anand in Rotterdam and us in Kolkata/Mumbai—we collaborated to create a free-form, “bamboostic” design. At the heart of our concept was a Möbius strip-inspired deck, offering endless opportunities for playful exploration through its dynamic geometry. This unconventional deck was supported by a doubly curved suspended roof above and parabolic arches below, creating a seamless interplay between form and function. To ensure structural integrity and enhance user interaction, we incorporated interconnected truss beams, making the design stable and deeply engaging. The project was a true celebration of creativity, collaboration, and our shared belief in pushing the boundaries of design with sustainable materials. While the competition results didn’t favour us, the journey was a testament to the joy of designing with passion and purpose.