Modular flatpack playground for children in crisis zones

Playrise, a charity focused on design, has partnered with architects OMMX and engineers Webb Yates to create a modular flatpack play system intended for disaster relief areas. Crafted from Iroko hardwood and secured with standard metal bolts, the system incorporates Lego-like slots for easy scaling. It can be enhanced with additional features such as rope walls, musical instruments, and basketball hoops. The concept was developed through co-design workshops with displaced families in Ethiopia and Cairo. Unlike metal playgrounds, the timber construction remains cool in hot weather. The first prototype was introduced in early 2024, with a funding initiative aiming to provide six play equipment sets to villages in Gaza. Co-director Alexander Meininger emphasized that the system can be adapted for any child lacking access to playgrounds.