three interlocking timber rings shape TAILAND’s playground pavilion in tokyo park

logging hill creates a multifunctional gathering space in tokyo

Designed by Taichi Kuma of TAILAND, LOGGING HILL is a pavilion composed of three timber rings interlocked to create a multifunctional gathering space in a Tokyo park. Visitors can take a seat, run along, climb upon, or even lay down on the work and enjoy each other’s company and views of the surroundings.

They also then become participants, as during Tokyo Midtown DESIGN TOUCH 2024 they were invited to stick different colored paper pieces along the surface to mark a record of their own experience. In doing this, LOGGING HILL was activated beyond urban infrastructure into a public space and playground embedded with the imprints of its users.

Taichi Kuma of TAILAND explores timber’s adaptability

The curving pavilion’s primary components are a series of plywood panels that shape the rings. Each a different size — 2 meter, 5 meters, and 10 meters — the rings are fabricated with precision using advanced 3D CNC technology. They further incline a distinct angle and seamlessly connected to the ground. Versatile platforms are then created that accommodate a wide range of activities for the public passing through the park. The smallest ring doubles as the entrance, providing a welcoming portal that visually interacts with an existing art piece by Florian Claar.

With LOGGING HILL, Japanese architectural practice TAILAND showcases timber’s adaptability as a material, offering a more inviting alternative to conventional playgrounds typically constructed from steel or concrete. During the three-week exhibition, the intervention drew significant attention from visitors, particularly children, who engaged enthusiastically with its playful design.

project info:

name: LOGGING HILL
architect: TAILAND | @tailand_jp

location: Tokyo, Japan

lead architect: Taichi Kuma | @taikuma

structural engineer: Shelter Co., Ltd

construction: TSUMURA KOGEI Co., Ltd.

program: Tokyo Midtown DESIGN TOUCH 

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