Vertical Playgarden by Studio KRAFT Transforms Budapest Schoolyard

Studio KRAFT has completed the Vertical Playgarden, a 215-square-meter installation in the courtyard of Bajza Street Primary School in Budapest's 6th district, one of the Hungarian capital's most densely populated urban areas. The project, curated by Nina Vuga, was designed by principal architects Ádám Pásztor and Dániel Déri, with design team members Zsófia Senánszky, Panna Sára Erhardt, and Márk Fehér, and technical support from Gergely Bognár. Landscape architecture was provided by Open Air Design, with structural engineering by Tetraplan Mérnökiroda Kft. The project, completed in 2025, addresses the needs of over 500 daily school users. Previously, the courtyard functioned as a monofunctional sports field: a rubber-covered surface bounded by school buildings and a pool, offering limited opportunities for rest, free play, nature contact, or diverse use. The Vertical Playgarden introduces a multi-level play structure that maximizes vertical space, providing varied play and learning environments. The design integrates nature and encourages creative interaction, transforming the underutilized yard into a vibrant educational and recreational space. The project is categorized under installations and structures, educational architecture, and other buildings, reflecting its innovative approach to urban school environments.