Learning London Design Festival
Play Build Play
Join us for a celebration of play and design for all ages and abilities in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy and London Design Festival.
What to expect
Playing is a form of engaging with and understanding the world around us and our inner landscapes. On this day, playful drop-in activities along with traditional and new construction games will turn the museum into an immersive, creative space for experimentation, investigation, building and hands-on play for all ages and abilities:
• Connect and construct new forms with 'REPLAY', a new game designed by Swiss Architect Sebastien Tripod and Material Arcade
• Explore an early years play environment with PlayBuildPlay CIC
• Join author Joséphine Seblon and illustrator Robert Sae-Heng to explore curvy constructions and amazing mazes from their new book Mini Architects, published by Thames and Hudson
• Model your own tiny toy treehouse
© Mini Architects, Curvy constructions activity. Author: Joséphine Seblon; Illustration: Robert Sae-Heng
© Mini Architects, Marble maze activity. Author: Joséphine Seblon; Illustration: Robert Sae-Heng
© AA Material Arcade: Fergus Egan, Charlotte Wesselmann & Abhishek Wagle
Facilitators
The AA Material Arcade
The AA Material Arcade (Fergus Egan, Charlotte Wesselmann, Abhishek Wagle) is a student-led initiative that promotes and facilitates the exchange of materials, objects and tools within the Architectural Association School of Architecture, by enabling the circulation of salvaged components. Founded in 2021 by Diploma 18 students to formalise reuse ambitions of students at the AA, the AA Material Arcade seeks to reduce the consumption of new resources by the school community.
Joséphine Seblon
Seblon studied art history at the École du Louvre in Paris and is the Head of International Rights at Thames & Hudson. She co-curated VIEW, a festival of art history at the Institut Français in London. Her first book 'Mini Artists' was published in 2023 and translated into 8 languages. Her second book 'Mini Architects' will be published in September 2024 by Thames and Hudson.
Robert Sae-Heng
Sae-Heng is a Thai-Mexican illustrator living in London with his fantastically large cheese plant. He began using imagery to communicate as a child because he spent his early years unable to hear. Sae-Heng now works with mixed media, combining hand-drawn elements with a digital finish.
Play Build Play
Play Build Play is a community interest company dedicated to uncovering the powerful role of material environments in early years family wellbeing and development. As an experienced team of designers, makers and educators we work with top cultural organisations to support young children and families by building creative confidence and resilient neighbourhoods. Using co-design and sensory play we transform places by giving agency to the people who use them, whatever their age or background.
Sébastien Tripod
Tripod is an independent architect and visiting tutor in numerous schools and universities. His work is focused on sustainability, self-construction and cooperation. He has a particular interest in craftsmanship, traditional building techniques and the use of low technology. Tripod has collaborated internationally with groups including Constructlab, HALLO, Inland/Campo Adentro, A.Pass and Free Home University, undertaking residencies and advocating for environmental and social sustainability.
Book Online
Booking information
Please note:
• Pre-booking is required as spaces are limited
• Please ensure you only book if you plan to attend and please cancel your booking in advance if your availability changes
• Suitable Age: 0 +. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible, ticket-holding adult.
Pay-What-You-Can supports visitors who might find the standard ticket price a barrier.
Tickets are non-refundable. Visit our Terms & Conditions page for further information.
What's On
Background image: Illustrations by artist Robert Sae-Heng.