The Play Wall is a project about improving everyday life for the residents of Balsall Heath by providing a community building that encourages play and is open to all. The building features a multi-function event space, exhibition space, a workshop, hackspace, makerspace, studios, offices, a café, a games court and other game areas. Running through the plan of the building is the Play Wall, which provides the opportunity to interact, inhabit and play through different sized openings, doorways, alcoves and much more. People working in one of the offices or studios can take a break and refresh through playing and interacting with the Play Wall, or by stepping out onto the glulam framed balconies that wrap around the building. Community clubs and groups can meet in the event space and sports can be played in the games court. The makerspace and workshops can be used to create work to be displayed in the exhibition space.
The project was inspired by exploration into the benefits of play and how it can improve everyday life, as well as different types of play (imaginative and active), and theorists/designers such as Aldo Van Eyck, Constant Nieuwenhuys, Rob Hopkins, and Herman Hertzberger.
