We are Space for Play, architects of Play spaces
- We believe in the Power of Play. All children should have equal access to play, to develop, learn and flourish through free play. We aim to contribute to this goal.
- We work for and with children: Children know best what they need, we never design spaces without their participation, we are inspired by their unique ideas and input, every time again.
- We do not do standard: Even after 20 years, our proven participatory design method, is not yet standardised: we adapt it to each unique situation,to the usergroup, its culture and the circumstances, to optimise the input.
- We trust in collaboration: As an international network we co-design spaces to play, learn, move &meet, together with children and their communities. Only together we can bring back play in urban childhoods.
- We feel responsibility: Together we want to turn grey city spaces into green, climate adaptive, inclusive community playspaces.
1. CO-LEARN
2. CO-DESIGN
3. CO-CONSTRUCT &
CO-PLANT
4. CO-MAINTAIN
Space for Play turns spaces into community places for all. Creating places for children and their community to play, to move, to learn, and to meet. But this is not a one-man job. We always design together with children and their community, with local key-players and architects.
Our approach reflects this:
- Co-Learn: children learn in climate class, or lessons about their right to play and inclusivity. Children teach us their real needs. Teachers translate their educational vision into the outdoor space.
- Co-design: in the Co-design sessions participants develop STEM skills, and deliver innovative solutions and designs.
- Co-construct: empowerment and ownership is growing, by planting and constructing their own (green) play spaces.
- Co-maintain: a 5 year maintenance plan is being shaped together with the school, municipality, parents and professionals.
That is our promise: our green schoolyards work! It’s only by working together that we can make spaces for play that work for ALL.
Where we work
Design
We transform Grey spaces into Green spaces in Schoolyards and Public Spaces
Participation
Children are the architects of their space, we co-design with them
Training/Education
We share our design experience with experts, local communities and architects
Presentations
We share our knowledge in conferences with other experts
Publications
We complement our design work with research
We are a network of Designers for Play. When designing and implementing abroad, strong collaboration with local partners is essential for a sustainable successful result. All projects are done in collaboration with diverse dedicated experts:
Core team
Renet
Korthals Altes
Space for Play Founder
Architect TU Delft, Teacher Pedagogical Acadamy.
The Netherlands & Malaysia
Raquel
Teixeira dos Santos
Architect & Urban Designer
Gender inclusivity, soft city, placemaking
Belgium, Denmark & Portugal
Syaza
Suraini
Design researcher and educator. Leadin Malaysian Learning Spaces (MYLES)
Malaysia
Network
Bo
Bodifée
Urban designer. Founder of Bodifée Design BV
Curacao, Bonaire
Christian
Karagire
Architect at KARA-Architects
Rwanda
Demet
Voûte-Sert
Urban designer.
Founder of Stadstaal
The Netherlands
Emma
van Helden
Architect, Designing for public space at Studio SOMA
The Netherlands
Insaf
Ben Othmane Hamrouni
Architect & Urban planner, participative community design, MENA region
Tunisia & Ireland
Michael
Bacon
Architect & Contractor
St Maarten, Saba, St Eustatius
Monica
Ahairwebyona
Architect and Industrial Designer
Uganda
Nancy
Arbogast
Architect at Kindle Architects Limited
Tanzania
Paulo
Alcocer Miller
Industrial Designer
Mexico
Srivardhan
Rajalingam
Architect & Urbanist
Participatory planning, Sustainable mobility, placemaking
India & UK
Thomas
Tiel Groenestege
Product designer, urban designer at Studio SOMA
The Netherlands
Toka
Ahmed
Sustainability facilitator, urban researcher, Internationa Spatial Development
The Netherlands, Egypt & UAE
Clients
Organisations who give Space for Play the opportunity to co-create play spaces worldwide.
Awards
2022
Real Play Challenge, category “Places where play supports climate action“: Highly commended project with “Grey > Green = Gold”. More here!
2018
Winner of UNHCR innovation award “Co-designed safe play-spaces”. More here!