How did you come to work together?

We were both members of the design and planning team of the Amman 2025 master plan developed for the Greater Amman Municipality. Sarah is an urban designer and a graduate of the Architectural Association and her works advances the ideal of landscape urbanism, while Sandra is an urban planner and a graduate of the City College of New York. Her work focuses on governance and advancing urban performance.

Given our similar visions yet different approaches to urbanism, we decided to collaborate on solving one persistent problem: the absence of public playgrounds in dense urban communities.

Why did you design the Playscapes system ?

Playscapes is the natural outcome of two mothers/local designers struggling to find public open space and play equipment in the city. Playscapes quickly surfaced as we both engaged in conversations about simple, affordable and immediate design solutions. It’s a simple equation: two mothers/local designers + no open spaces = public space installation.

How can the system benefit increasingly dense urban spaces?

City administrations are tasked to provide recreational facilities for a growing young demographic. Playscapes is not subject to slow bureaucratic procedures. It can be simply assembled from placing pieces with each other. All that is needed is a suitable piece of land.

How does the system work?

The prototype is a series of three receding and vertically stacked square wooden frames, in addition to wooden poles and channels that ensure dry and easy assembly without the need for nails or screws.

Playscapes aims to create a series of light modular prototypes that can be moved around from one city or village to another within Jordan.

Playscapes can be reinterpreted in a variety of assembly schemes based on spatial limitations and desired use of the installation. The arrangements provide multiple opportunities for play such as play huts, bridges, climbing and seating arrangements.

What was your inspiration for the design?

Playscapes is a mobile, multi-purpose installation that derives its inspiration from Jordanian landscapes. The prototype itself was inspired by local wooden pallets, their structure, ease of mobility and versatility were qualities that we were looking for.

How has the system been received?

Playscapes has been attracting local and international attention, due to the novelty and simplicity of its design idea. Individuals around the globe want to purchase the system. We are currently considering the installation of Playscapes in a public park or vacant land spot through a collaboration with a youth and/or refugee targeted agency.