Bay Area Discovery Museum

Client: Bay Area Discovery Museum

Architect: Olson Kundig

Location: Sausalito, CA

Date:  September 2021

Gumnut Grove is a vibrant outdoor play environment at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, designed to ignite imagination and encourage active exploration for children ages 5–10. Drawing inspiration from the eucalyptus seedpod that gives it its name, this thoughtfully engineered play structure enhances the Museum’s natural landscape and invites kids to engage in dynamic, unstructured outdoor play — a critical experience that has become increasingly rare in contemporary childhood.

From concept to completion, Gizmo Art Production collaborated directly with museum designers and landscape partners to realize a sculptural play space that is as durable as it is joyful. Our work brought together structural engineering, custom fabrication, and professional installation to deliver a playful yet safe environment that harmonizes with its wooded surroundings.

Project Highlights

• Custom structural design tailored for children’s play and safety

• Precision fabrication of sculptural elements and climbing features

• Durable finish and materials suited for outdoor use

• Seamless installation within an existing natural canopy

Gumnut Grove exemplifies Gizmo’s expertise in creating interactive, site-specific environments that inspire discovery, movement, and creative engagement for community spaces.

Balancing artistic intent with the realities of physics, safety, and longevity required precise engineering and expert fabrication. The result is a permanent installation that feels playful and organic while meeting rigorous structural and safety standards.

Built for Exploration

Gumnut Grove exemplifies Gizmo’s ability to fabricate large-scale sculptural environments that function as both art and interactive architecture. Designed by Olson Kundig and realized through meticulous fabrication, the structure stands as a lasting centerpiece for imaginative outdoor play.