The Play Grounds reimagines a city block of townhomes through the lens of play therapy — using architecture not just to house, but to heal. In many societies, play is viewed as a phase — something for children to outgrow. But research into play therapy shows that play remains a powerful tool across all ages, offering cognitive, emotional, and sensory benefits for individuals living with autism, dementia, PTSD, chronic illness, and trauma.

This project explores play as a foundational principle for architectural design, from the urban site scale, to the block scale, down to the individual unit. The result is a neighborhood that invites curiosity, movement, creativity, and sensory engagement — without excluding or overwhelming.

The city block is organized around a series of interactive public spaces that provide sensory and imaginative opportunities for people of all backgrounds and ages. At the architectural level, townhome facades are designed with color, rhythm, and tactility, offering visual and tactile variety without becoming chaotic. Select units are tailored to the specific spatial needs of residents with autism or dementia, integrating research-based design strategies such as:

Clear spatial organization and predictable room transitions

Minimal patterns, with high-contrast color cues to support wayfinding

Noise reduction strategies, such as distancing appliances from bedrooms

Simple, legible spaces that prioritize calm over clutter

Toilet placement within line of sight from the bed to reduce nighttime confusion

Throughout the project, the principles of abstraction and open-ended engagement — key to therapeutic play — are embedded in everything from landscaping and seating, to material selections and shared thresholds.

Here, play is not an afterthought or an amenity — it’s the organizing logic of a community built for healing, creativity, and lifelong imagination.