This is the Wallhola – Asia’s first “vertical” playground – at Block 158, Bishan Street 13. The unusual structure is just one of several which reflect the changing face of playgrounds in Singapore. Encased in a metal grid cage, the Wallhola is made up of undulating layers, rising to a three-storey height. It is suitable for children aged five to 12, and can hold 30 of them at a time. They can walk on its orange surfaces, which are made of synthetic rubber, and climb up and down using holds placed around the cage.

The idea for it was proposed by Design Metabolists, a local architecture firm, as part of the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council’s Neighbourhood Renewal Programme. It was installed in Bishan in February this year. Nominated for the Dutch Design Awards in 2006, it was designed by Carve, a studio based in the Netherlands, and built by home-grown playground designer Playpoint.

Playing in the structure are (clockwise from top left): Claire Chow, eight; Ishvar Prasad, 12; Thomas Loh, 10; Charlotte Chow, nine; Rahul Singh, 11; and Yau Chun Yin, nine.