Alicia Heinsen
Becker Raab
Ben Poulin
Beth Emig
Jason Chmura
Jessica Mangin
Kyle Rendall
Matthew McChesney
Mayva Donnon
Merilee Meacock
Michael Shatken
Petar Mattioni
Scot Murdoch
Live and Learn, a joint initiative of Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network Plan (PLLAN) and Watchdog Real Estate Project Management, is working to expand educational equity by building playful learning environments at two affordable housing developments in Susquehanna Square in North Central Philadelphia and Pennrose in Sharswood, North Philadelphia.
“Playful learning environments are public spaces designed to help children learn while playing, based on the science of how children learn best,” says Sarah Lytle, executive director of PLLAN. “With Live and Learn, we hope to create a model that can be easily scaled so that playful learning spaces are a standard inclusion in the design and construction of all affordable housing in the future.”
Designers from KSS Architects and WRT will create designs for the indoor and outdoor spaces. The design phase is expected to last through Spring 2024, wrapping up with two mini block parties that will give community residents the opportunity to test drive the prototype designs.
“We have collaborated on playful learning projects over the last couple years, including with PLLAN, Watchdog Real Estate, and community stakeholders. We are passionate about the power to design foster playful learning, especially around early literacy, and sensory design in everyday places. These projects are meaningful to us and we are excited to work closely with the team in developing designs that bring equity and energy to everyday spaces” shares Beth Emig, Senior Associate, KSS Architects.
Click here to read the full press release and learn more about Live and Learn A pilot project helmed by Watchdog Real Estate Project Management and Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network (PLLAN) and funded by The William Penn Foundation.