We can transform your child’s bedroom into the ultimate hybrid space—sensory gym by day, cozy bedroom by night
A sensory gym is a thoughtfully designed therapeutic play space with a curated aesthetic and carefully selected equipment to support a child’s regulation, engagement, strength and movement, spatial awareness, attention, play and language, and overall development.
While sensory gyms are often found in commercial clinic settings, I specialize in designing them for families to use with their kids in the comfort of their own homes.
Who can benefit?
I offer fully customized sensory gyms designed to meet the unique needs of your child, family, and home. These therapeutic play spaces can be integrated into a spare room, playroom, basement, or even your backyard—giving your child 24/7 access to movement, play, and exploration.
Live in the city or short on space? No problem. We can design around existing furniture and transform your child’s bedroom into the ultimate hybrid space. They’ll be the happiest kid on earth.
Regardless of whether your child is neurodivergent or currently receiving any therapy, daily sensory-motor play and explorative movement is essential for regulation, learning, and overall development for all children. An in-home Sensory Gym or therapeutic play space not only facilitates this enriching play but also helps to get them off of the screens - and instantly elevates any home-based therapy they may be receiving.
I also consult with sensory gyms, schools, etc. for new gym designs or existing gym modification, upgrades and fabrication of custom equipment
I also consult with sensory gyms, schools, etc. for new gym designs or existing gym modification, upgrades and fabrication of custom equipment.
I also consult with sensory gyms, schools, etc. for new gym designs or existing gym modification, upgrades and fabrication of custom equipment.
I offer fully customized sensory gyms designed to meet the unique needs of your child, family, and home. These therapeutic play spaces can be integrated into a spare room, playroom, basement, or even your backyard—giving your child 24/7 access to movement, play, and exploration.
Live in the city or short on space? No problem. We can design around existing furniture and transform your child’s bedroom into the ultimate hybrid space. They’ll be the happiest kid on earth.
Regardless of whether your child is neurodivergent or currently receiving any therapy, daily sensory-motor play and explorative movement is essential for regulation, learning, and overall development for all children. An in-home Sensory Gym or therapeutic play space not only facilitates this enriching play but also helps to get them off of the screens - and instantly elevates any home-based therapy they may be receiving.
I also consult with sensory gyms, schools, etc. for new gym designs or existing gym modification, upgrades and fabrication of custom equipment
I also consult with sensory gyms, schools, etc. for new gym designs or existing gym modification, upgrades and fabrication of custom equipment.
I also consult with sensory gyms, schools, etc. for new gym designs or existing gym modification, upgrades and fabrication of custom equipment.
My design and fabrication journey began back when I was 12 years old building skateboard ramps. As I got older, I moved on to furniture and other creations, always appreciating a good home improvement project and problem solving with power tools. Where did it come from? I like to attribute it to my mom's side - my uncle Bernd, a master craftsman and my grandpa, Opa, who built sailboats in post-war Berlin using nothing but primitive tools and his own bare hands.
After nearly 20 years as an OT, I finally merged my clinical background with this love of fabrication and design. In 2017 a new passion was born, and I’ve been creating custom Sensory Gyms for families in the US and abroad ever since. I also began fabricating specialized equipment for local gyms here in NYC.
I love the challenge of designing therapeutic spaces that organize and inspire kids. A space should not only promote regulation and engagement, but also encourage dynamic movement out of upright and in all head and body positions, and offer a variety and interplay of features to enhance core strength, sequencing and motor planning, and overall sensory integration… while most importantly having fun!
I absolutely love the challenge and process of designing unique spaces to meet the individual sensory, motor and emotional needs of a child
I absolutely love the challenge and process of designing unique spaces to meet the individual sensory, motor and emotional needs of a child
This project came with some unique constraints which made for a fun and challenging design. The space was a small guest room with a large Murphy bed, situated just off of the family’s beautiful living room. It was important to the family that the design complemented the home decor and allowed for easy break down when guests were in town. Functionally, the goal was to create a space where Leela could play dynamically and independently. She’s an active, energetic child who loves to climb, so the layout focuses on building strength, coordination, and more complex motor‑planning and sequencing, all while supporting regulation and sustained attention.
Leela now thrives in her own curated little sensory gym, using it most days before and after school to give her system exactly what it needs. Along with gains in the expected areas above, we also saw growth in language and engagement. And as requested, the aesthetic blends nicely with the living room and easily packs away whenever the grandparents come to visit!
I designed this space in multiple phases. As Kai grew and progressed, the environment evolved and adapted with him. I tend to lean toward nature themes, especially for kids growing up in the city, and decided to go all in on this one. Now, on the 25th floor of a Manhattan apartment, exists a little oasis of mountain ranges, fluffy clouds, climbing trees, and Lego-bush walls, creating a playland of endless possibilities.
To maximize a space and offer the widest range of movement and play opportunities, adaptability is key. On one side, we have a mountain range rock wall and on the other, interactive climbing trees and a platform/slide. In the center, is a flexible zone that transforms from a dreamy Lycra bouncy world, to a swing zone, to a crisscross of angled slack lines with overhead bungee support, offering a matrix of dynamic balance and spatial challenges. The sky's the limit. And so is Kai’s potential in his personalized sensory gym.
Luigi’s Sensory Gym is a truly customized and dynamic space designed to support movement, play, and sensory integration. Buily for a young boy with autism and visual challenges, this nature-themed gym encourages independent exploration while addressing his unique motor and spatial needs. From climbing trees to weaving up meandering sand dunes, every element fosters skill development in a fun and engaging way. Click below and come on a tour!
Let’s take a tour of Luigi’s gym and see how a space can truly support a child
I designed this sensory gym in a basement for a young boy named Luigi who has autism and also presents with motor challenges and a visual impairment. While he has functional vision, high contrast and specific colors greatly help him to navigate his environment more safely and effectively. He deeply enjoys climbing and exploring, yet many typical obstacles and environments pose challenges for him.
My goal was to create a safe and engaging play space for Luigi - one that would encourage independent movement, challenge his motor skills, and support him from both a sensory and visual perspective. Additionally, I wanted to incorporate a fun and exciting way to enhance his visual spatial skills, despite his visual impairment.
To make the space more meaningful, I decided to design it all around a nature theme. I tend to like nature themes as kids today are spending less and less time outdoors. Luigi’s parents, who are amazing and his biggest supporters, played an essential role in the process. They shared photos of playground equipment he enjoyed or showed interest in, which served as inspiration for some of the gym’s features. The result? A super fun curated space that he absolutely loves!
The features of Luigi’s gym:
A few examples of the types of features I design:
My goal was to create a safe and engaging play space for Luigi - one that would encourage independent movement, challenge his motor skills, and support him from both a sensory and visual perspective. Additionally, I wanted to incorporate a fun and exciting way to enhance his visual spatial skills, despite his visual impairment.
To make the space more meaningful, I decided to design it all around a nature theme. I tend to like nature themes as kids today are spending less and less time outdoors. Luigi’s parents, who are amazing and his biggest supporters, played an essential role in the process. They shared photos of playground equipment he enjoyed or showed interest in, which served as inspiration for some of the gym’s features. The result? A super fun curated space that he absolutely loves!
The features of Luigi’s gym:
A few examples of the types of features I design:
Interested in a Sensory Gym in your home for your child?
Whether it’s a full basement or a small bedroom, we’ll create a beautiful space perfectly tailored to your child. Whether they’re a sensory seeker with boundless energy or prone to withdrawal and feeling anxious, we’ll design a safe space that supports their unique sensory, motor, and emotional needs.
My clinical and design worlds come together to create innovative therapeutic spaces tailored to children of all ages and sensory-motor-emotional needs. With a fabrication team ready to make even my wildest ideas a reality, we can make you and your child’s dreams come true.
A few examples of the types of features I design:
A few examples of the types of features I design:
Every family, home, and design project is unique and the process ultimately varies with each one. Below you will find a general step-by-step guide to give you an idea of what to expect.
sensory gym by day, bedroom by night!
sensory gym by day, bedroom by night!
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Fill out the contact form for a free phone consultation to discuss your child, the space, and your general budget/vision
If local, we'll visit to measure and further discuss your child and the vision for the space. If not, you'll send a floor plan, photos, videos, and complete a child questionnaire followed by a call
Relax while we create 3D renderings of your beautiful custom new Sensory Gym. When done, we’ll review the design and make any necessary adjustments via video call
Custom fabrications and equipment ordering begins. If you aren’t local, my team can handle fabrication and ship everything or we can send plans for your team to build
Finally, contractors will complete installation under my supervision. If you don’t have anyone, I can recommend someone. If you aren’t local, I can oversee in-person or via video call
Watch your child enjoy their new space!
I prioritize creating fun, dynamic and therapeutic play spaces that can adapt and be expanded over time to keep up with your child’s progress and keep them interested and coming back for more. Here’s what some parents have to say about our Sensory Gym designs
I prioritize creating fun, dynamic and therapeutic play spaces that can adapt and be expanded over time to keep up with your child’s progress and keep them interested and coming back for more. Here’s what some parents have to say about our Sensory Gym designs
