Hotel and restaurant playgrounds do not always meet expectations. Suvi Hakala and Nina Mäkelä have combined their expertise and are developing a new kind of playroom concept. Junikko is a multi-sensory and modular playroom concept for public spaces, such as hotels, shopping malls or airports.
The idea came about years ago when Nina visited restaurants and hotels with her own children and found that the playgrounds did not meet expectations and the brand.
– It has to be more beautiful and comfortable for children than a table with drawing tools, Nina says.
– Companies should see that investing in children grows the company's brand. Parents appreciate what is offered to children, Suvi adds.
A couple of years ago, the two women rolled up their sleeves and came up with a playroom concept where children move, experience and have fun instead of just looking at screens. There is plenty for children to experience and wonder about, as the surface materials of the modules are versatile and the shapes, sounds and smells also arouse interest. The senses are also activated through colours and images.
The concept was piloted at the Steiner daycare center with the help of EU rural development funding from Liiver. Lennol manufactured the first prototypes of the products. The entrepreneurs gained experience in how the material lasts and saw how the children used the products in their games.
– We received a video of the children receiving a big stuffed dog and other products. The children immediately went to hug the dog and dived into the donuts. In the experiment, the children immediately started playing and exploring the products, they didn't stop to think about what to do.
The experiment also made us consider materials carefully – soft products require a lot of washing and their role will be considered in the future.
The Junikko concept playground is long-lasting and durable for the customer, as it is easy to grow and move from one space to another. The idea is also to make it visually beautiful.
– Children should be where everyone else is, not in the playroom downstairs.
The goal is to go international through Lapland. The target group is premium-level destinations, resorts, hotels and restaurants. The next goal is to find a design partner and take the concept to the international market through Lapland's tourist destinations.
– We have now entered a competition that gives young designers the opportunity to design a solution for our concept. It is responsible as we want to keep the design in Finland and offer an opportunity to young designers.
Suvi has been involved in GENGREEN project events through her own company. Through the project, she has made new acquaintances and networks and has been able to visit interesting companies.
– The best part was the inspiring trip to Kirkenes, Northern Norway, where we participated in a start-up event.