Carma masson

 I’m currently researching the topic of Playful Architecture. Playful Architecture, due in part to its ambiguity and subjective nature of play to the building user; has over time, proven hard to rigidly define. Felt in its universal joy-giving qualities; it is often characterised by its bold use of colour and pattern, experimentation with materials; daring use of shapes and symbols; incorporation of stories and references to popular culture; and elements of surprise and humour. My research seeks to define the key elements of playful architecture; to understand the psychology behind the effect they have on our perception of and connection to space and place. 

The piece of research I am most proud of is my Postgraduate Dissertation entitled Manifesto for a Playful City that I wrote back in 2011. The dissertation explores the psychology of play, its importance to the wellbeing of both adults and children and the need for more playful opportunities to be embedded in the everyday urban design of our cities. This was the first time I really identified my research interest, despite much opposition to my choice of subject (which was considered frivolous and not worthy of serious consideration). 10 years later the essay has become the foundingManifesto behind my own professional practice and think tank Playground.

 My overriding research goal is to ensure Playful Architecture has a seat at the table and is taken seriously in the design of our future cities worldwide. I intended to do this through a range of publications, including a book of case studies and interviews of playful architecture and their architects and a playful architecture design toolkit; all shared with academics, design professionals and the public, aimed at raising awareness of Playful Architecture, its benefits and  guiding its successful implementation.

 One of the most exciting things I have seen recently was the recent refurbishment to the Young V&A (formally the Museum of Childhood) in London by AOC architecture. The design embodies all the qualities of Playful Architecture and serves as an excellent case study on the power of architecture in evoking play, and is well worth a visit for children and adults alike. I had the pleasure of speaking to the led architect and friend Gill Lambert on her design as part of a symposium I hosted for Leeds School of Architecture, which was a dream come true! (link below)

 I’m always reading numerous books at one time, finding continuous inspiration in them. Two that have really inspired me recently are: Play Matters by Miguel Sicart; in which Sicart explores the difference between play and playfulness, and the capacity of play to exist outside the playground and toys, as its role in forming our everyday reality. The other is: Joy : The Surprising Power of Everyday Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee; in which Lee painstaking identifies and categorises moments that bring us joy and unpicks the neuroscience and psychology behind our positive sentiments towards them. An easy one for anyone (even not in the design or academic profession) to read and enjoy. I’m also very excited for the launch of architect, colleague and friend Charles Holland’s new book in April entitled How to Enjoy Architecture: A Guide for Everyone. 

 I was recently asked to present my current research at the BA Game Design students at Leeds Beckett; a relationship I would like to continue to develop into the future. I have also recently reached out to the Playwork and Therapy programme at Leeds Beckett, in the hope of continuing my internal collaboration further; hoping to understand more fully the psychology behind play and it’s the significance in human development. More further afield, The LEGO Foundation supports an MA Design for Play course at Design Skool Kolding in Denmark, with who I would love to run a workshop with in collaboration with the Architecture department here at Leeds Beckett in the future.