Architecture for Children
DAM, Frankfurt, 9 November 2019 – 21 June 2020

Between 1950 and 1980 the playground was a creative laboratory. In the cities of the Global North, innovative, crazy and exciting projects emerged: Landscape architects, artists, activists and citizens wanted to provide children with the best place for play and try out a new approach to community and city at the same time. Starting with the pioneers of new playground concepts in the first half of the 20th century, The Playground Project brings the wealth of this period to life — with images, models, plans, books and numerous films, but also with playground sculptures for climbing, sliding and hiding. Everybody, be they children, parents, playground planners, teachers, architects or students, is welcome to discover the playground of yesterday and to consider those of tomorrow. The Playground Project was curated by Gabriela Burkhalter for the Kunsthalle Zürich, updated and complemented for the DAM.