Sneha Divias Atelier

Titter Totter is an early learning environment located within Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi. Conceived as a 350-square-metre interior, the project responds to a brief that sought more than a conventional children’s play space. The ambition was to create an environment that supports creativity and independence in children, while offering a sense of calm, comfort, and reassurance for accompanying adults.

The project is approached as a spatial interpretation of pedagogical values. Rather than relying on overt themes or visual stimulation, the design is articulated through proportion, materiality, and intuitive zoning. Curved geometries shape the interior, with arches, rounded walls, and carved-out niches establishing a language of softness and approachability. These forms support a sense of safety while encouraging exploration at a child’s scale.

Natural materials define the interior atmosphere. Light oak is used extensively across joinery, flooring, and structural elements, creating continuity and warmth. Accents in terracotta and moss green introduce subtle variation within a restrained palette. Open circulation is balanced with smaller, defined zones, allowing the space to accommodate both active play and quieter moments of rest or concentration.
The spatial layout reflects children’s natural rhythms. Areas for movement and climbing are positioned alongside reading pods, art corners, and alcoves, enabling a fluid transition between activity and stillness. Visibility and comfort for adults are integrated through clear sightlines and seating areas that allow observation without intrusion.

Execution required a high level of precision. Curved joinery and custom-built play structures were prototyped and tested prior to installation to ensure safety, durability, and finish quality. Impact-absorbing flooring, non-slip surfaces, and rounded edges are carefully integrated to meet international safety and hygiene standards while maintaining visual coherence.

Acoustic treatments and layered lighting contribute to a controlled and calm ambience. Sound absorption reduces reverberation, while warm, adjustable lighting supports different uses throughout the day. The result is an interior that remains composed even during periods of intensive use.

Titter Totter positions children as attentive and capable users of space. Through measured design gestures and material restraint, the project proposes an architectural environment that supports imagination, autonomy, and ease, treating early learning with the same spatial care as any refined public interior.