At the Children’s Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton, Long Island, the outdoor environment has been reimagined as a landscape of exploration, movement, and social interaction. Designed by LaGuardia Design Group in collaboration with Studio Ludo, SPEC Play, and Hampton Yards, the project transforms the museum grounds into a playful and inclusive environment where nature, learning, and community converge.
Rather than imposing a conventional playground, the design embraces the site’s existing topography, weaving together flowing surfaces, mature trees, and accessible pathways that encourage discovery at every scale. The landscape invites children and families to engage with space freely, supporting open-ended play and spontaneous social encounters while maintaining a strong connection to the natural character of the site.
Within this context, Durbanis’ furniture collections become active components of the landscape rather than isolated objects. The Inout series, manufactured from recycled polyethylene, is integrated throughout the play environment as a versatile element that blurs the boundary between play equipment and public furniture. Its sculptural forms allow each module to function simultaneously as a place to sit, climb, balance, or gather, naturally supporting unstructured use and multiple interpretations by users of different ages.
Complementing these interventions, the Rio collection introduces soft, rounded geometries that reinforce the welcoming character of the space. Comprising seats free of sharp edges, Rio’s timeless forms and vibrant colour palette contribute a playful visual language that resonates with the museum’s educational mission while creating comfortable places for rest and observation.
The project also incorporates elements from the Caribou collection, a modular furniture system conceived to adapt to diverse spatial conditions. Its organic design enables flexible configurations that respond to the needs of the site, creating opportunities for gathering, waiting, and informal interaction. Manufactured from recycled plastic waste polyethylene, Caribou reflects a commitment to circular design while offering robust solutions for intensive public use. Models such as Star, with its radial geometry, and Straight, with its linear expression, provide complementary spatial experiences that enrich the landscape composition.
Together, these furniture elements contribute to a cohesive environment where play, learning, and everyday social life coexist.
Edited by Durbanis
Photography by Maksim Akelin Media
Project by LaGuardia Design Group, Studio Ludo, SPEC Play
