Sissis Wonderland by Leo Sun Transforms Reading Space into a Giant Toy

Golden A' Design Award Winner Showcases How Bubble Inspired Architecture Offers Fresh Direction for Brands Creating Immersive Family Spaces

Picture a room where the walls themselves invite children to explore, where bookshelves double as climbing adventures, and where the entire architectural envelope becomes a playground for imagination. Sissis Wonderland represents the emerging frontier for brands seeking to create spaces that families remember, revisit, and recommend. The question keeping brand strategists and real estate developers awake at night is deceptively simple: How do you design a space that children genuinely want to inhabit? Leo Sun and the team at Muxin Studio answered the question in an unexpected way. The designers stopped thinking about decoration entirely and started thinking about the space itself as the attraction. Their creation, Sissis Wonderland, is a 108 square meter parent-child reading space in Shanghai that earned recognition as a Golden A' Design Award winner in Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design. What makes the Sissis Wonderland project fascinating for brands considering family-focused environments is not the aesthetic choices alone. The fundamental reconceptualization of what a children's space can be sets the project apart. The designers drew inspiration from blowing bubbles, arranging interconnected spatial zones that attach and flow into one another organically. The result is an environment where exploration becomes instinctive, where children navigate through varying scales and configurations as naturally as they would navigate a fantasy world of their own creation. For companies investing in physical retail, hospitality venues, educational facilities, or branded experiences, Sissis Wonderland offers a masterclass in spatial thinking that transcends trends.

The Architectural Philosophy of Spatial Play

When Muxin Studio approached the Sissis Wonderland project, the team began with extensive research into existing children's spaces. What the designers discovered shaped their entire approach: the conventional formula of bright colors, cartoon characters, and decorative flourishes had reached a saturation point. Families were surrounded by visual tropes everywhere they went. The opportunity lay in something more fundamental.

The design team chose to concentrate on the shape of the space itself, transforming the architectural envelope into what they describe as a giant toy. The room-as-toy concept represents a significant conceptual shift for brands to understand. Instead of applying play elements to a conventional room, the room becomes the play element. Children do not need to find toys within the space because the space itself invites climbing, hiding, discovering, and imagining.

The bubble metaphor extends beyond mere aesthetic inspiration. Just as bubbles cluster together while maintaining distinct boundaries, the spatial zones within Sissis Wonderland communicate and fuse with each other while preserving individual identities. Public and private areas overlap. Interior and exterior sensations interconnect. The multitude of spatial forms creates hierarchies that children navigate intuitively, developing their sense of spatial awareness while simply enjoying themselves.

The bubble-inspired approach carries profound implications for brands creating family environments. The investment shifts from replaceable decorative elements to permanent architectural features that continue to engage visitors over time. A painted mural eventually feels dated. A spatial configuration that invites exploration remains compelling because exploration itself is timeless.

The designers noted that children between three and seven years old occupy a particularly sensitive developmental period, transitioning from subjective internal worlds to engagement with objective external reality. A flowing space supports the developmental transition by expanding perceptual and communicative abilities. For brands, thoughtful spatial design can genuinely contribute to the developmental value families receive from visiting, creating deeper emotional connections than surface-level entertainment.

Understanding Child-Scale Design Principles

One of the most instructive aspects of Sissis Wonderland is the rigorous commitment to child-scale design thinking. The design team at Muxin Studio planned and divided the entire space from the perspective of a child, not from adult assumptions about what children might enjoy. The distinction matters enormously for brands creating family experiences.

Within the 108 square meters, the designers incorporated stairs with varying heights, bookshelves that simultaneously serve as seating, zigzagging ramps, and miniature arches sized specifically for children. Every element responds to the proportions and capabilities of young visitors. Children can climb up and down, play hide-and-seek, and navigate through passages designed for their bodies.

Consider what the child-scale approach communicates to families. When children encounter spaces designed specifically for them, young visitors receive a powerful message: this place was made with me in mind. The sense of belonging translates into positive associations with whatever brand or organization created the environment. Parents observe their children engaging naturally and enthusiastically, which reinforces trust in the brand's understanding of family needs.

The smoothly curving plan reflects careful attention to the sensory experience of young users. Curved walls feel more comfortable and enhance spatial perception for developing minds. The design team deliberately avoided square corners, hard materials, and straight lines wherever possible, creating an environment that feels safe and welcoming without requiring warning signs or restrictive barriers.

For brands, the level of design intentionality demonstrated in Sissis Wonderland becomes a differentiator. Families have countless options for how to spend their time. Spaces that demonstrate genuine understanding of children's physical and perceptual needs earn repeat visits and enthusiastic recommendations. The investment in thoughtful design pays dividends through authentic word of mouth that no advertising budget can replicate.

The child-scale approach also extends to how different personality types interact with the space. The varieties of spatial typology provide experiential guidance for children to explore boundaries between public and private areas. Introverted children can find comfortable niches while extroverted children enjoy the flowing connections between zones. The accommodation of different temperaments means the space works for diverse families, expanding appeal across demographic segments.

Material Choices as Brand Values

The material palette of Sissis Wonderland communicates specific values that brands creating family spaces would do well to consider. Wood serves as the primary building material, selected deliberately to elicit an amicable relationship between the constructed space and the surrounding plants while bringing children closer to nature.

The wood-centric choice reflects a growing awareness among families about the environments in which their children spend time. Parents increasingly seek experiences that feel authentic, grounded, and connected to natural systems. Wood communicates warmth, craftsmanship, and permanence in ways that synthetic materials cannot replicate. For brands, material selection becomes a form of value communication that operates below conscious awareness, shaping how families feel about a space even when they cannot articulate why.

The selection of white paint and soft grey floor surfaces serves multiple purposes within the design. Visually, the neutral tones allow the spatial forms themselves to take center stage, reinforcing the concept that the architecture is the attraction. Practically, the surfaces provide safe environments for active play while maintaining the visual clarity that helps children navigate complex spatial arrangements.

Green plants grow along the boundaries where different spaces meet, sustaining what the designers describe as the dynamic among person, space, and nature. The integration of living elements within the interior environment adds another layer of sensory richness. Children encounter textures, colors, and even subtle scents that vary throughout the space, creating a multisensory experience that stimulates curiosity and engagement.

For brands considering family-focused environments, the material strategy employed in Sissis Wonderland demonstrates how physical choices communicate intangible values. Sustainability, craftsmanship, respect for natural systems, and attention to user wellbeing all manifest through material selection. Material communications occur whether or not they are explicitly stated, making thoughtful material choices a form of nonverbal brand messaging that families absorb during their experience.

The durability of well-chosen materials also addresses practical brand concerns. Spaces designed for children experience significant wear. Materials selected for both aesthetic and performance qualities maintain their appeal over time, reducing maintenance costs and helping ensure consistent brand experience for every visitor.

The Business Rationale for Immersive Family Architecture

Brands investing in physical spaces face a fundamental question: what makes a location worth visiting in an era of digital convenience? The answer increasingly lies in experiences that cannot be replicated through screens. Immersive family environments like Sissis Wonderland exemplify the opportunity by creating spatial experiences that engage bodies, not just eyes.

The commercial logic is compelling. Families making decisions about where to spend time and money gravitate toward destinations that offer value for all members. A space that captivates children while providing comfortable seating and pleasant aesthetics for accompanying adults serves the entire family unit. Inclusive appeal translates into longer visits, increased spending on adjacent offerings, and positive associations that influence future decisions.

The recognition earned by Sissis Wonderland through the A' Design Award validates the commercial viability of the bubble-inspired approach. The Golden A' Design Award represents recognition from an international jury of design professionals who evaluate projects based on innovation, functionality, aesthetic quality, and contribution to design culture. For brands, external validation provides evidence that investments in thoughtful family space design can achieve recognition that enhances brand prestige and supports marketing narratives.

Muxin Studio, the client and creator of Sissis Wonderland, has leveraged the project to demonstrate their capabilities in spatial innovation. The studio, based in Shanghai and working across architecture, interiors, product design, and graphic design, has built their reputation through projects that challenge conventional approaches. Their philosophy of looking, seeking, and creating manifests in work that attracts attention from international design media and generates inquiries from clients seeking distinctive solutions.

Brands can explore sissis wonderland's award-winning bubble architecture to understand how spatial innovation translates into tangible business value. The project demonstrates that family spaces can transcend utilitarian functionality to become destinations in their own right, attracting visitors specifically because of their design rather than merely containing other attractions.

The developmental benefits embedded in the design also create value for brands positioned within educational, enrichment, or wellness sectors. A space that genuinely supports children's perceptual development and creative expression aligns with the values parents seek. The alignment creates opportunities for premium positioning, as families often willingly invest more in experiences they perceive as beneficial for their children's growth.

Implementation Considerations for Brand Environments

Translating the principles demonstrated in Sissis Wonderland into brand environments requires understanding several practical considerations. The project succeeded within 108 square meters, demonstrating that immersive spatial design does not require massive footprints. The modest scale opens opportunities for brands across various sizes of operation.

The design team at Muxin Studio completed the project in approximately two months, from September to November 2018. The timeline suggests that innovative family space design can be achieved within reasonable project schedules when clear conceptual direction guides the process. Brands considering similar investments should recognize that the time required is primarily in developing the spatial concept rather than in construction complexity.

Collaboration between brand strategists and design professionals becomes essential for projects of this nature. The bubble-inspired concept for Sissis Wonderland emerged from intentional design research and creative exploration. Brand teams bring understanding of their audiences, values, and commercial objectives. Design teams bring spatial expertise and creative problem-solving capabilities. The intersection produces environments that serve both experiential and business goals.

The involvement of the full design team at Muxin Studio, including Yves Zhang, Leo Sun, Yiye Zhang, Dawei Jiang, and Shuhang Zhang, illustrates the collaborative nature of successful spatial design. Complex projects benefit from diverse perspectives and specialized expertise. Brands should anticipate assembling or engaging teams with complementary skills to achieve similar outcomes.

Documentation and photography also merit consideration. The images of Sissis Wonderland, captured by photographer Daqi Zhang, communicate the spatial experience to audiences who cannot visit in person. For brands, investing in quality documentation of innovative spaces supports marketing efforts, award submissions, and portfolio development. Visual assets continue generating value long after the initial project completion.

Regulatory and safety requirements vary by jurisdiction and intended use. The curved forms and child-scale elements in Sissis Wonderland required thoughtful integration of safety considerations without compromising the spatial concept. Brands should engage professionals familiar with relevant codes and standards early in the design process to help ensure compliance without sacrificing innovation.

Future Directions in Family Experience Design

The approach demonstrated in Sissis Wonderland points toward emerging possibilities in how brands create environments for families. Several trajectories deserve attention from organizations planning future investments in physical spaces.

The integration of interior and exterior sensations, achieved in Sissis Wonderland through material choices and plant integration, may expand through biophilic design principles that bring natural systems more comprehensively into built environments. Research continues to demonstrate the psychological and physiological benefits of nature exposure, particularly for developing children. Brands positioned to deliver biophilic benefits may gain competitive advantages as awareness grows among families.

The concept of space as toy may evolve toward space as story, where architectural configurations guide visitors through narrative sequences. Children already imagine stories within the bubble-like zones of Sissis Wonderland. Future projects might more deliberately structure spatial sequences to support specific narratives aligned with brand identities or educational objectives.

Technology integration presents both opportunities and challenges. The appeal of Sissis Wonderland is partly in the analog nature of the environment, offering respite from screen-based entertainment. Yet thoughtful integration of sensory technologies could enhance immersion without undermining the spatial experience. Brands will navigate the analog-digital balance as technology capabilities expand and family preferences evolve.

The global recognition earned by Sissis Wonderland through the A' Design Award community demonstrates that innovative approaches to family space design attract international attention. Brands creating distinctive environments position themselves for recognition that transcends local markets, building global awareness that supports expansion and partnership opportunities.

Sustainability considerations will increasingly influence family space design as environmental awareness grows among younger parents. The wood-centric material strategy of Sissis Wonderland aligns with environmental values, but future projects may explore even more regenerative approaches. Brands demonstrating environmental leadership through their physical spaces can earn trust from families who prioritize sustainability.

Synthesis and Reflection

The Sissis Wonderland project created by Leo Sun and Muxin Studio offers brands a template for reconsidering how they approach family-focused environments. By treating space itself as the primary attraction rather than a container for decorative elements, the design achieves engagement that transcends fashion and novelty. The bubble-inspired arrangement of interconnected zones creates discovery and delight through architectural means, demonstrating that meaningful family experiences can emerge from thoughtful spatial design.

For brands investing in physical environments, the Sissis Wonderland project illuminates an opportunity. Families seek experiences that honor their children's developmental needs while respecting their own aesthetic sensibilities. Spaces designed with dual awareness of child and adult needs earn the attention, loyalty, and advocacy that drive commercial success.

The Golden A' Design Award recognition confirms that bubble-inspired spatial approaches can attract validation from design professionals worldwide, supporting brand narratives and marketing initiatives. Award validation compounds the intrinsic value of creating spaces where families genuinely want to spend time.

As you consider your organization's approach to family environments, what would it mean to transform your space itself into the experience families seek?