Rope Reef, a modular playground system
MA Course: ‘Play Design Fundamentals’ – Rope Reef, a modular playground system
Design for Play – Master’s, 1st Year
Background
This course introduces students to four core play design domains: Toy Play, Play Spaces, Gameplay, and Applied Play – where play serves a purpose beyond enjoyment, such as learning or behavioural change. Throughout the course, students develop their own prototypes and strengthen their ability to connect play theory with hands-on design practice.
Pedro Giaculli has created Rope Reef, a modular playground system designed to spark imaginative play and physical activity in children aged 6 to 12. The cone-shaped modules can be assembled into small or large maze-like structures. Built from metal frames and elastic rope nets, the modules provide spaces for climbing, crawling, and inventing new forms of play.
