No bite-sized solution.

A sandbox: nice for the kiddies, but who wants that gaudy blue old shell in the garden? Nobody, right?

So we set out to find a solution. We designed a handy, safe and durable play bowl, but with a design to sink your teeth into. Literally and figuratively!

Services:
Product designProduct EngineeringGo-To-Market

Local, responsible and solid.

Sustainability is here to stay.
This is why we wanted to thoroughly consider production, transport and recycling right from the design phase. Thanks to the high-quality materials and extra wall thickness, the citizen play bowl can take a beating and will last a lifetime.

The core-colored polycarbonate is sprayed locally in Belgium and the Netherlands. Transportation after sale was also considered. The two halves are perfectly stackable and come with integrated hinge. This way we do not transport unnecessary air all the way to the customer.

VERS architects -- A look behind the scenes

01 / Examine the basic requirements

A beautiful design is one thing, but we also mapped out all the other requirements: absolute safety for the young users, multifunctional use, sustainability and local production, color fastness in direct sunlight, ... The bar was immediately set very high.

02 / Safety above all

European toy safety standards were only the minimum. We wanted a design where safety was ingrained. Sturdy hinges that don't sag and a shell you can jump on without breaking.

03 / Rework until it's right

Combining a beautiful design with affordable safety presented challenges. But with each consultation, sketch & prototype, we came closer to the dreamed end result.

04 / Finesse in simplicity

A product that looks like it has always been there. Without a single unnecessary line. Ingenious in its simplicity but thought through to the point. That's something we love to sink our teeth into.

Getting the necessary strength in a stylized design is a challenge. As a designer, you prefer to work as clearly as possible. Add nothing where it shouldn't. But if you also want to be able to jump on a large hinged hamburger, you have to provide some strength. We found the solution in a "bite" on the hinge side. It is functional but also contributes to its recognizable and playful character.

"If you can't hide it, make it a feature!"

Foolproof hinge.

We wanted a high-end product that customers could use right away, without a long manual or searching for a set of Allen wrenches.

The hinges are both literally and figuratively the final piece of this sand bowl. Existing hinges did not meet the high standards. So we made one ourselves. A quality and precisely tailored hinge that fits perfectly and stays firmly open at any angle. A satisfying click audibly confirms correct installation.

The specially designed hinge ensures that you can only put the two halves of the bowl together one way: the right way.

From sandbox to herb garden to...

And when the kids get older? Then just replace the top bowl with a transparent one and you instantly have a beautiful growing container in the garden. Sturdy, nicely sealable and ideal for herbs.

During hot summers, you also effortlessly turn it into a little pool or the dream spot during hide-and-seek. A cozy corner to read a book or store your toys ... . Endless possibilities.

No challenge out of the way!

"It was blissful to design for a client who resolutely went for the cleanest possible result. The requirements were challenging, but that's just what makes it fun. We ourselves are very hard fans of the high-end functionality and deceptive simplicity of the result."

Christophe Willekens - product engineer

No bite-sized solution.

Local, responsible and solid.

Foolproof hinge.

The specially designed hinge ensures that you can only put the two halves of the bowl together one way: the right way.

From sandbox to herb garden to...

No challenge out of the way!

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