Nike and LEGO Redefine Play with a Modular Sports Playground in Shanghai | stupidDOPE | Est. 2008

"At the heart of this project is a single idea: that play and movement should inspire as much creativity as the classroom. The Nike x LEGO playground draws its physical and conceptual blueprint from one of LEGO's most recognizable components-the 2×3 brick. This humble object, often overlooked in its simplicity, becomes a foundational design motif that shapes everything from layout to function. The playground's surfaces, volumes, and pathways mimic the brick's modular proportions, creating a cohesive and intuitive flow that encourages exploration from every angle."

"By scaling up this simple geometric logic, OLA Shanghai transformed the familiar LEGO grid into a full-scale ecosystem of activity. The design features dynamic climbing structures, balance zones, and flexible spaces that invite constant reconfiguration. Children are encouraged to navigate, build, and invent their own routes-just as they would with LEGO pieces. Each section of the playground supports multiple modes of engagement, ensuring that no two play sessions ever look the same."

The Nike x LEGO collaboration at Baoshan No. 2 Central Primary School in Shanghai creates an architectural playground that fuses LEGO's modular geometry with Nike's movement-first philosophy. OLA Shanghai scaled the 2×3 brick into full-scale surfaces, volumes, and pathways that guide exploration and support climbing, balance, and reconfigurable play. The layout encourages children to navigate, build, and invent routes, prioritizing discovery over prescribed exercises or competitive sport. Multiple zones support varied modes of engagement so play sessions remain dynamic and unique. The design emphasizes creativity, physical activity, and sustainable design thinking as integral elements of childhood learning. The project reframes school recreation as an experimental environment where imagination and movement inform educational outcomes.

Read at stupidDOPE | Est. 2008