Play Works

Play Works is a collaboration between Assemble Play and Assemble, bringing Play Theory and practice into an immersive and interactive exhibition for Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham. Following the ethos of child-led play that is supported, prioritised and facilitated by adults, we created a series of environments that brought props and loose parts into the gallery space and invited children to direct their own creativity, collaboration and problem solving.

Working with the materials and philosophies of Assemble Play events, the exhibition responded to the themes of play and imagination as well as the grand and historic setting of Orleans House. Room height curtains and mirrored installations created a stage set to be inhabited by visiting children.

The mirrored installations responded to the geometric shapes found in the gilded Palladian Octagon room. These were fabricated by Assemble in our wood workshop in Bow with carpenter Steve Cook. The floor to ceiling curtains, which were a scaled-up version of the colourful fabric used in the Assemble Play kit were made by Georgia Bosson. Oversized pillows were made by Ellie Pearce and cork building blocks donated by Resolve Collective.

Adults were invited to observe, learn, and reflect as participants in the space. This experience encouraged them to raise awareness and advocate for better quality play experiences. Play Works is part of a series of Assemble projects exploring how childhood shapes architecture and how it’s used. The exhibition also featured The Voice of Children—an ongoing film and research project that documents children playing around the world.

Play Works provides a forum for discussion on the role of play in society, inviting stakeholders from various sectors to envision a more playful and inclusive urban future.