Why do you feel it is important to reflect on the history and future
of children’s play?
The Playground Project (Architektur für Kinder) emerged from a
research project I started around 2006, inspired by the book American
Playgrounds. Revitalising Public Space by Susan G. Solomon. When I
discovered a number of these non-standardised playgrounds, I realised
they are not considered part of the urban heritage. But why? They
had an incredible artistic quality and served as a testament to their
time. People have fond memories of these playgrounds, yet they were
simply removed, with few exceptions. I therefore wanted to document
these playgrounds and honour their designers, who had invested a lot
of time, passion and money.
How have cultural and political contexts shaped the way
playgrounds are designed around the world from 19th century
playgrounds of the past to more standardised designs today.
After World War Two, the topic of the playground became increasingly
important when the need to build new housing and neighbourhoods
arose, as did the question of where children could play safely in the
context of the dominance of cars in cities.
Later, design responsibility was handed over to companies, so standard
solutions became the norm (although they always existed alongside
individual solutions). Individual designs became almost impossible to
achieve due to the high safety standards.
Playground design used to be a sign of civic engagement. For
instance, the schoolyard playgrounds in the US in the 1970s were
often organised by the Parents & Teachers Association and built
through a collaborative effort. The first adventure playground, opened
in Germany in 1967, was a response to a lack of play spaces for older
children in a large housing estate in West Berlin.
The first adventure playground in Melbourne, Australia, also emerged
from the initiative of a single woman, Joan Healey. Building an
individual playground always requires the engagement of local people
and associations.
At the beginning of the playground movement, community groups in
countries such as the US, England, Germany, and Australia responded
to the challenges of growing urban environments. Playgrounds were
introduced to offer children safe spaces for activity, learning, and
social connection. Over time, the importance of play in childhood
development became more widely recognised. It was increasingly
linked to creativity, nature, and the benefits of unstructured
exploration. To support these ideas, new playground concepts
emerged, often shaped by artists, architects, and educators.
About Architektur für Kinder
Gabriela Burkhalter, Guest Curator
M. Paul Friedberg, Riis Park Plaza, Jacob Riis Houses, New York City, 1965.
Photo anon. Modern Records Centre and the Lady Allen of Hurtwood papers.
University of Warwick, Coventry UK. Courtesy The Playground Project.
Yvan Pestalozzi, Lozziwurm (1972 / 2025). The Playground Project
Melbourne. Photo Michael Pham. Courtesy Incinerator Gallery MVCC.
Winter 2025
In Focus Magazine
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