Smilje Playground (Smilje=Immortelle)

Main design and site supervision.

Why is this playground important in the urban context?

This location holds significant urban value for the city of Zadar — it connects the City Galleria square with the residential zone of Relja. The space is highly frequented and surrounded by hospitality venues, which further increases its relevance.

The project aims to accommodate diverse user needs, with a strong emphasis on children. The goal is to eliminate existing spatial barriers and connect the newly designed playground with the City Gallerie pedestrian square. Since the local community began independently adding play elements and street furniture, they clearly expressed what this space lacks. The project embraces these spontaneous interventions and responds by adding a thoughtful new communication layer.

Part of a broader concept

This playground, along with others in the series, is conceived as an educational tool. Each is themed around native plant species important to the local ecosystem. All play equipment, furniture, and color schemes were carefully selected to match this theme and blend into the existing environment.

Each playground represents a specific local plant:

1. RELJA : : IMMORTELLE (SMILJE)
2. Š. CEZANE / V. VIDE : : MYRTLE (MIRTA)
3. MASLINA : : OLIVE (MASLINA)
4. RIČINE : : LAVENDER (LAVANDA)

Every playground will feature an informational board about its plant species — describing its role in local flora and fauna, and referencing the other playgrounds to encourage visitors to explore them all. This creates a network of urban spaces that bring nature closer to people, promote education and environmental values, and offer potential as a subtle tourist attraction.

Climbing structure design

To reflect the immortelle theme, and due to a lack of suitable off-the-shelf playground structures, I decided to design original climbing elements. In collaboration with a certified playground safety expert and structural engineer, we developed sculptural climbers that are both safe and symbolically resonant.

A climber that mimics a tree or branches supports child development in many ways:

1. Connection to nature
   Children instinctively relate to organic forms. This kind of structure stimulates imaginative play and a sense of being in nature, even in an urban setting.
2. Motor skill development
   Irregular shapes and textures challenge coordination, balance, and strength more than standard equipment.
3. Creativity and imagination
   Children invent stories of forests and adventures, promoting symbolic play and cognitive growth.
4. Sensory stimulation
   Natural forms and materials offer tactile experiences that enhance perception.
5. Environmental awareness
   Nature-inspired play fosters early emotional bonds with the environment and ecological values.
6. Social development
   Climbing becomes a shared experience, encouraging cooperation and communication.

These structures will be produced locally, in a Zadar-based workshop.

The playground is currently under construction.