“Hands down one of the best products you can use to allow ‘kids to be kids.’”
Dubai is like no place on earth, and the Atlantis The Palm is like no place in Dubai. Rising out of the Persian Gulf, the Atlantis resort stands on the furthermost point of the Palm, its east and west towers framing the beautiful central arch, a gateway not only to luxury and opulence, but family fun, adventure, and discovery.
In the United Arab Emirates, visiting a water park is seen as much as a cultural experience as a recreational one. The design of the new Splasher’s Kids Play Area reflects this. The entirely-submerged splash pad was created for maximum entertainment, yet at no point does Aquaventure let you forget, you’re in a waterpark at one of the world’s leading resorts.
Leading With Safety
In 2017, our partner in the UAE, Raymond Sport, began working with Atlantis to address several surfacing needs of the new attraction:
“We wanted a flooring that was inviting to kids and families, allowing them to sit, stay and play and feel comfortable doing so,” said Olivia Wyrick, Director of Aquaventure Operations.
Along with the absolute requirement of slip resistance, Aquaventures expressed the need for a surface that was:
Durable, impervious, could last in high traffic areas, survive the Dubai sun, and perform while fully submerged throughout operation
Cushioned and comfortable to allow guests to play with confidence while also protecting little ones from trips and falls
Non-abrasive while simultaneously preventing hydroplaning as kids moved through the shallow water
“If we went with a flooring that was standard and more along the traditional floorings you see in pools and play areas, we probably wouldn’t have guests spending more time inside the area itself,” Olivia explained when asked how they ultimately decided on Life Floor.
Leading With Design
Atlantis was drawn to Life Floor when our studio produced a one-of-a-kind surface design using triangles and gradient colors to create a shoreline effect. In the end, Atlantis’ leadership in luxury and fun was a perfect match for Life Floor’s own position as the new international standard in safety and design.
Kelsi Goss, designer of the project, noted: “The Atlantis project provided us with a great opportunity to create a large gradient effect given its size. Adhering to the theme, we created a design that resembled the beach… We used the depth of the water in this kids play area to determine where to place the ‘sand’ and the ‘water’ in the design”
In 2018 Raymond Sport beautifully brought the vision to life. The beach effect was created with Life Floor’s Ripple 2.0 texture in Ocean, Bluebird, Iceberg, Sandstone and Sandbar colors. To reinforce the shoreline theme, Life Floor inlaid various brightly colored sea creatures, which also added immediate visual interest and play value.
“We wanted the design of the floor to really complement and showcase the slides and play elements, but also be interactive itself with kids and parents… The design and color selection available gives operators endless possibilities to theme. It creates an interactive element that will transform an entire area,” Wyrick added, pointing out the benefit of inlaid “sea life such as fish, octopus and starfish” into the larger work.
Leading With Experience
Life Floor’s core mission is and always has been safety, and the operators and guests alike have taken notice. “It’s been amazing,” Wyrick noted when asked how the floor was performing. “You can see that guests appreciate it when you watch them staying inside the play area for prolonged periods of time, especially when they are sitting in the pool and playing with their kids. The ‘softness’ of the flooring is very inviting and has really allowed families to stay together and enjoy the entire area as one.”
Would Aquaventures recommend Life Floor to other facilities?
“Yes, hands down one of the best products you can use to allow ‘kids to be kids,’” expresses Wyrick. “Kids can run through the area without worry… and can really be more interactive with all the elements and each other.”
A special thank you to Atlantis The Palm and Olivia Wyrick for taking the time to speak to us about your experience with Life Floor!
Photography by Garrett Reid - Instagram @rgrstudio