Case Studies

Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Client: Silver Sands Resort
Sector: Hospitality
Timberplay Role: Design and delivery of nature-led play environment
User Group: Families, multi-age
Key Features: Dynamic movement play, climbing structures, sand and water play, social play spaces

Design Intent:
Create a high-quality play environment that becomes part of the resort experience - not simply an additional amenity.

The Brief

At Silver Sands Resort, the ambition was that the playground should contribute to the overall guest experience rather than sit on the sidelines as a token family offering.

In a rapidly expanding hospitality market, the resort needed something distinctive, a space that would appeal to families, encourage longer stays, and reflect the quality of the wider development.

The challenge was to design a play environment that:

• Engaged children across a wide age range
• Felt appropriate within a luxury setting
• Delivered genuine play value, not just activity

The Design Approach

The design centres on providing a rich mix of play experiences that invite exploration, movement, and social interaction.

Natural, sustainably sourced timber was used throughout to create a space that feels integrated with the landscape and aligned with contemporary expectations around environmental responsibility.

The layout is intentionally open, allowing children to move freely between different types of play while supporting visibility for parents and carers.

What We Created

The playground brings together a range of complementary play opportunities:

• Dynamic movement elements, including rotating and balancing equipment that encourage physical challenge
• Climbing structures that cater to different confidence levels and ages
• Sand and water play areas that support sensory exploration and imaginative play
• Shared play features designed to encourage group interaction

Each element was selected not only to entertain, but to support physical, social, and cognitive development.

The result is a space where children remain engaged for longer periods, returning repeatedly throughout their stay.

Supporting the Guest Experience

For families visiting the resort, the presence of a genuinely engaging play environment changes how the space is used.

Children are able to explore, take manageable risks, and play independently or collaboratively.
For parents, this creates opportunities to relax while knowing their children are actively engaged.

By offering a meaningful play experience rather than a basic playground, the resort strengthens its appeal as a destination for families.

Commercial and Design Value

Well-designed play environments can contribute directly to the success of hospitality developments. A welldesigned play space not only increases dwell time but also encourages repeat visits, a crucial aspect of maintaining a loyal clientele in the competitive Middle Eastern hospitality market.

At Silver Sands:

• The playground functions as a destination within the resort
• Multi-age play encourages longer dwell times
• High-quality materials reinforce the perception of luxury
• The play space becomes part of the resort’s identity

For developers and designers, the project demonstrates how a carefully considered play offer can add long-term value rather than acting as a secondary feature.

Social Play and Shared Experience

The layout and shared elements support interaction between children who may not know each other, helping to build confidence and encourage cooperative play.

The space also allows families to spend time together, reflecting the importance of communal experiences within the resort environment.

What Makes This Project Distinct

• Play is positioned as a core part of the guest experience
• Nature-led materials elevate the quality of the environment
• A wide range of play types supports different ages and abilities
• The space encourages repeat use throughout a stay

A Lasting Legacy of Innovation

Silver Sands Resort has not only created a playground; they have set a benchmark for luxury family experiences within the hospitality sector. The design reflects the resort's commitment to thoughtful, well-crafted spaces that enrich the guest experience. Play spaces in luxury hospitality are no longer a secondary feature - they are integral to creating memorable, standout destinations. At Silver Sands, this vision is brought to life in a way that will leave a lasting impact on guests and on the wider industry.

Acknowledgements

This project was delivered in collaboration with award-winning landscape architects Cracknell, and Principal Architect Amy Lam of Alam Creative Design Studio, Jeddah.