colorful shape-sorting puzzle installation sets up a creative children’s play place in london

delve's play place project aims to promote quality child-centric urban design.

EE17 edited by matthew burgos June 26, 2024 3 min

Delve Architects’ Play Place promotes creative play in the city

Play Place, a vibrant installation designed by Delve Architects in collaboration with Plaey Workshop, stands in the heart of London as part of the London Festival of Architecture. This larger-than-life child’s toy in Leicester Square Gardens serves as a unique space for families and children, encouraging collaborative and creative play through inclusive urban design.

The installation features a supersized, colorful shape-sorting puzzle, providing an engaging play area for children. Play Place aligns with the LFA theme of ‘Reimagine,’ posing the question of how play can be reintegrated into urban environments. It is supported by the Heart of London Business Alliance, Westminster City Council, and London Festival of Architecture, sponsored by Dragon Smoke Construction.

colorful shape-sorting puzzle installation sets up a creative children's play place in london - 1 — all images by © Fred Howarth

Play Place project Advocates for Child-Centric Urban Design

Play Place aims to inspire developers and policymakers to consider the next generation and the significant impact design can have on a child’s development. Delve Architects, known for their award-winning nurseries, seek to promote quality design in early years education and highlight the importance of reclaiming urban spaces for children’s physical and mental health.

This eye-catching play area is part of the Art of London initiative, underscoring the need for fun, educational learning spaces accessible to all children in the UK. The design team at Delve Architects hopes to spark a conversation on the role of urban design in supporting children’s development and well-being.

colorful shape-sorting puzzle installation sets up a creative children's play place in london - 2 — Play Place by Delve Architects is a vibrant installation in the heart of London

colorful shape-sorting puzzle installation sets up a creative children's play place in london - 3 — located in Leicester Square Gardens, this playful space is part of the London Festival of Architecture

colorful shape-sorting puzzle installation sets up a creative children's play place in london - 4 — the installation features a supersized, colorful shape-sorting puzzle for children

colorful shape-sorting puzzle installation sets up a creative children's play place in london - 5 — designed to encourage collaborative and creative play, Play Place showcases inclusive urban design

colorful shape-sorting puzzle installation sets up a creative children's play place in london - 6 — Play Place aligns with the LFA theme of ‘Reimagine,’ exploring play in urban environments

delve-architects-london-play-place-installation-designboom-1800-3 — the installation highlights the importance of reclaiming urban spaces for children’s health

colorful shape-sorting puzzle installation sets up a creative children's play place in london - 7 — part of the Art of London initiative, Play Place underscores the need for fun learning spaces

colorful shape-sorting puzzle installation sets up a creative children's play place in london - 8 — the colorful design of Play Place aims to capture the imagination of young visitors

colorful shape-sorting puzzle installation sets up a creative children's play place in london - 9 — Play Place offers an engaging play area for families and children in Leicester Square Gardens

delve-architects-london-play-place-installation-designboom-1800-2 — Play Place is a call to action for creating child-friendly urban environments

project info:

name: Play Place
architect: Delve Architects | @delvearchitects

location: London, UK

photography: Fred Howarth | @fh_otography

dates: June 1st – June 30th, 2024

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