Prioritising the places and people that need it the most
Playwood Pavilion
Crafting smiles, forging bonds : Playwood Pavilion
A collective of young architects and carpenters from France, and Ukraine, known as Budmo, collaborated with children in Kyiv to create the vision of a playground that not only reflects their dreams and wishes but also serves as a safe haven where childhood cannot be stolen and bring moments of joy and laughter during difficult times of the war. As we state, playgrounds should be created by children's imagination, not by adult limitations.
Ukraine
Local
Kyiv
Mainly urban
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
2024-09-20
No
No
No
As a representative of an organisation
In Ukraine, the stories between children and the frontline are inextricably linked in life. They remind us that resistance has many faces. The father fights for our freedom on the front lines, risking his life, while we, in Kyiv, fight for the future of our nation, particularly for our children, through creativity and play. This connection between struggle and creation is the foundation of understanding resistance. It is the story of how, despite the losses and destruction, we continue to build: family, communities, places to live, and a future for our children. This project is a narrative about the strength of this bond and the echoes that resistance creates in the face of war.
In Kyiv, Ukraine, Budmo NGO, composed of architects and carpenters, collaborated with Ukrainian children on-site during September 2024, following the bombing of the Kyiv Pediatric Hospital on July 8, 2024, to design their dream project. Through creative workshops, a respite from the effects of the war was provided within Kyiv. By allowing the children to play an active role in designing their own playground, we aim to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and connection with their environment. Give children the opportunity to express themselves and make their mark through their actions, their resistance, and their desire to continue living and dreaming. Following the work done through the workshops with the children on this project, the Budmo team built an exhibition pavilion showcasing their work at the project site: Trukhaniv Island, an island located in the center of Kyiv. This pavilion was design and based on Ukrainian culture (reference of the building golden gate and the traditional clothing : vychyvanka) with the local resources (wood and rocks) that the site have. All together we build the resistance and the future of the dream of ukrainian kids.
In Kyiv, Ukraine, Budmo NGO, composed of architects and carpenters, collaborated with Ukrainian children on-site during September 2024, following the bombing of the Kyiv Pediatric Hospital on July 8, 2024, to design their dream project. Through creative workshops, a respite from the effects of the war was provided within Kyiv. By allowing the children to play an active role in designing their own playground, we aim to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and connection with their environment. Give children the opportunity to express themselves and make their mark through their actions, their resistance, and their desire to continue living and dreaming. Following the work done through the workshops with the children on this project, the Budmo team built an exhibition pavilion showcasing their work at the project site: Trukhaniv Island, an island located in the center of Kyiv. This pavilion was design and based on Ukrainian culture (reference of the building golden gate and the traditional clothing : vychyvanka) with the local resources (wood and rocks) that the site have. All together we build the resistance and the future of the dream of ukrainian kids.
Empowering communities
Cultural connection through international support
Resilience in war time
well-being of kids
create with local ressources
Playwood—a project born from resilience, creativity, and the urgent need to give children a space where imagination prevails over destruction. In just 15 days, we didn’t just build a wooden pavilion—we demonstrated that it is possible to organise participatory workshops with children during the war, built a symbol of hope, using only local resources and materials.
This project is about more than a playground. It’s about inclusion, dignity, and the power of participation. Children from all backgrounds—those with disabilities, those displaced, those from military families—came together to design their ideal space, proving that every voice, especially the youngest, deserves to be heard. The workshops provided free, creative education, giving children a sense of agency and the freedom to shape their own environment. Their mothers, standing beside them, found rare moments of joy, working hand in hand with their children, shaping a future that war has not taken from them.
Sustainability was not an afterthought—it was our foundation. We sourced all local materials within a 20km radius, eliminating emissions from transport. The wood came from fallen pine trees in the forests north of Kyiv, ensuring responsible use of natural resources. The structure stands without deep foundations, anchored by stones collected from the Dnipro River just meters away, preserving the land. And nature embraced it—in just a week, snails and insects made a home among the stones, proving that human intervention can coexist with nature, not disrupt it.
More than an object, this pavilion is a statement. It stands for peace and justice, a place where children's ideas shape the world around them, where community comes together despite the chaos of war. It is proof that in destruction, there is still creation. That even in wartime, we can build—not just for survival, but for joy. Together, we are proving that sustainable development, thoughtful design, and community-driven architecture.
This project is about more than a playground. It’s about inclusion, dignity, and the power of participation. Children from all backgrounds—those with disabilities, those displaced, those from military families—came together to design their ideal space, proving that every voice, especially the youngest, deserves to be heard. The workshops provided free, creative education, giving children a sense of agency and the freedom to shape their own environment. Their mothers, standing beside them, found rare moments of joy, working hand in hand with their children, shaping a future that war has not taken from them.
Sustainability was not an afterthought—it was our foundation. We sourced all local materials within a 20km radius, eliminating emissions from transport. The wood came from fallen pine trees in the forests north of Kyiv, ensuring responsible use of natural resources. The structure stands without deep foundations, anchored by stones collected from the Dnipro River just meters away, preserving the land. And nature embraced it—in just a week, snails and insects made a home among the stones, proving that human intervention can coexist with nature, not disrupt it.
More than an object, this pavilion is a statement. It stands for peace and justice, a place where children's ideas shape the world around them, where community comes together despite the chaos of war. It is proof that in destruction, there is still creation. That even in wartime, we can build—not just for survival, but for joy. Together, we are proving that sustainable development, thoughtful design, and community-driven architecture.
Trukhaniv Island is one of Kyiv’s most beloved public spaces—a vast pedestrian-friendly park where families from all over the city come to spend their weekends. And yet, despite its popularity, the island lacks something essential: not a single playground for children. This absence sparked our initiative—to create a space designed entirely by and for children. We invited children from across Kyiv, from different districts and backgrounds, to take part in shaping what this missing play space could be.
We ensured participation from children of all ages (4 to 11 years old), children with disabilities, and children of military personnel. We organised workshops that allowed for different forms of expression. Not every child communicates in the same way, so we gave them the freedom to paint a collective mural, build physical models, draw their dream playgrounds, or share their ideas in one-on-one storytelling sessions.
The first part of the workshop took place on the site, where we collectively created a large mural painted on a white sheet around the trees. We also held model-making workshops using materials we found on-site and made personal interviews.
In the second phase of the workshop, based on what we had produced and experienced on the site, we designed project models. As architects, we wanted to provide our design tools so the children could express themselves. To do this, we divided the children into 5 groups of 5, allowing each group to create their dream project. We provided them with various tools: a 60x60cm wooden board to build their model, along with different modules made of modeling clay and various materials to glue onto it. Children with mental challenges actively participated, ensuring that the final design would be both physically and socially inclusive. Through the different drawings, paintings, models, and stories, we designed the construction of the Playwood Pavilion the following week based on this work.
We ensured participation from children of all ages (4 to 11 years old), children with disabilities, and children of military personnel. We organised workshops that allowed for different forms of expression. Not every child communicates in the same way, so we gave them the freedom to paint a collective mural, build physical models, draw their dream playgrounds, or share their ideas in one-on-one storytelling sessions.
The first part of the workshop took place on the site, where we collectively created a large mural painted on a white sheet around the trees. We also held model-making workshops using materials we found on-site and made personal interviews.
In the second phase of the workshop, based on what we had produced and experienced on the site, we designed project models. As architects, we wanted to provide our design tools so the children could express themselves. To do this, we divided the children into 5 groups of 5, allowing each group to create their dream project. We provided them with various tools: a 60x60cm wooden board to build their model, along with different modules made of modeling clay and various materials to glue onto it. Children with mental challenges actively participated, ensuring that the final design would be both physically and socially inclusive. Through the different drawings, paintings, models, and stories, we designed the construction of the Playwood Pavilion the following week based on this work.
We worked directly with the children, listening to their ideas through playful activities. They dreamed of rivers with crocodiles, treehouses with a hairdresser, railways, swimming pools, fear caves, music, and many trampolines. This highlighted how crucial play spaces are in shaping creativity and the development of children's minds.
At the "Paint the Dream" station, the children created bright playgrounds on a large white canvas. Through colors and shapes, the children expressed their fantasies of ideal places to play.
Different models were made, allowing the children to use architects' tools to communicate their desires. Throughout the workshop, the children had the opportunity to express their creativity, preferences, and vision for their ideal playground. Through interactive design sessions and hands-on activities, they worked closely with architects to shape every aspect of the layout, features, and aesthetics of the playground. Their contribution was central to the decision-making process, ensuring that the final design of the pavilion reflects their identity, aspirations, and dreams.
By blending local perspectives with architects' ideas, we aim to provide a space that serves as a refuge for fun and play. By allowing the children to play an active role in designing their own playground, we seek to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and connection with the space. Beyond the physical structure, the playground becomes a symbol of collaboration and community resilience, where children can feel empowered and valued. It becomes a place where they can momentarily escape the harsh realities of conflict, immerse themselves in moments of joy and play, and simply rejoice in the freedom of being children. Let's bring smiles to war zones.
At the "Paint the Dream" station, the children created bright playgrounds on a large white canvas. Through colors and shapes, the children expressed their fantasies of ideal places to play.
Different models were made, allowing the children to use architects' tools to communicate their desires. Throughout the workshop, the children had the opportunity to express their creativity, preferences, and vision for their ideal playground. Through interactive design sessions and hands-on activities, they worked closely with architects to shape every aspect of the layout, features, and aesthetics of the playground. Their contribution was central to the decision-making process, ensuring that the final design of the pavilion reflects their identity, aspirations, and dreams.
By blending local perspectives with architects' ideas, we aim to provide a space that serves as a refuge for fun and play. By allowing the children to play an active role in designing their own playground, we seek to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and connection with the space. Beyond the physical structure, the playground becomes a symbol of collaboration and community resilience, where children can feel empowered and valued. It becomes a place where they can momentarily escape the harsh realities of conflict, immerse themselves in moments of joy and play, and simply rejoice in the freedom of being children. Let's bring smiles to war zones.
We worked directly with the children, listening to their ideas through playful activities. They dreamed of rivers with crocodiles, treehouses with a hairdresser, railways, swimming pools, fear caves, music, and many trampolines. This highlighted how crucial play spaces are in shaping creativity and the development of children's minds.
At the "Paint the Dream" station, the children created bright playgrounds on a large white canvas. Through colors and shapes, the children expressed their fantasies of ideal places to play.
Different models were made, allowing the children to use architects' tools to communicate their desires. Throughout the workshop, the children had the opportunity to express their creativity, preferences, and vision for their ideal playground. Through interactive design sessions and hands-on activities, they worked closely with architects to shape every aspect of the layout, features, and aesthetics of the playground. Their contribution was central to the decision-making process, ensuring that the final design of the pavilion reflects their identity, aspirations, and dreams.
By blending local perspectives with architects' ideas, we aim to provide a space that serves as a refuge for fun and play. By allowing the children to play an active role in designing their own playground, we seek to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and connection with the space. Beyond the physical structure, the playground becomes a symbol of collaboration and community resilience, where children can feel empowered and valued. It becomes a place where they can momentarily escape the harsh realities of conflict, immerse themselves in moments of joy and play, and simply rejoice in the freedom of being children. Let's bring smiles to war zones.
At the "Paint the Dream" station, the children created bright playgrounds on a large white canvas. Through colors and shapes, the children expressed their fantasies of ideal places to play.
Different models were made, allowing the children to use architects' tools to communicate their desires. Throughout the workshop, the children had the opportunity to express their creativity, preferences, and vision for their ideal playground. Through interactive design sessions and hands-on activities, they worked closely with architects to shape every aspect of the layout, features, and aesthetics of the playground. Their contribution was central to the decision-making process, ensuring that the final design of the pavilion reflects their identity, aspirations, and dreams.
By blending local perspectives with architects' ideas, we aim to provide a space that serves as a refuge for fun and play. By allowing the children to play an active role in designing their own playground, we seek to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and connection with the space. Beyond the physical structure, the playground becomes a symbol of collaboration and community resilience, where children can feel empowered and valued. It becomes a place where they can momentarily escape the harsh realities of conflict, immerse themselves in moments of joy and play, and simply rejoice in the freedom of being children. Let's bring smiles to war zones.
The project is leading by different scales of actors.
At the international level, we coordinated between the Bordeaux Metropolitan Area and the Kyiv Metropolitan Area to participate in the funding of the project, particularly for material costs and the travel expenses of the French team. Elected officials from the international departments of both Bordeaux and Kyiv were able to exchange ideas in this framework, providing support to Ukrainians on the ground. The connection between the city of Bordeaux and Kyiv has been crucial in supporting Ukrainians after three years of war and allows us to continue our actions linking Bordeaux and Ukraine through this strong institutional support. Here Europe and Ukraine strengthen cross-border partnerships for urban resilience and sustainable development. The Kyiv city council,, enabled us to immerse ourselves in Ukrainian culture and implement this knowledge into the project. The Kyiv city council also allowed us to build this pavilion on Thurkaniv Island, located in the center of the city on the Dnipro River.
At the local level, we mobilized different actors who provided us with a working and reception space to work safely away from bombings with children during the first week. We were able to work and store the children's creations at Creative States, a co-working space in the center of Kyiv. We also received support from the official sawmill of the Pushcha Vodytsa forest park managers, allowing us to cut and shape the wood to build the pavilion structure.
Through the various actors mobilized at both the international and local levels, we were able to carry out this project thanks to the funds raised, as well as the warm welcome from the Ukrainians and the availability of the spaces.
At the international level, we coordinated between the Bordeaux Metropolitan Area and the Kyiv Metropolitan Area to participate in the funding of the project, particularly for material costs and the travel expenses of the French team. Elected officials from the international departments of both Bordeaux and Kyiv were able to exchange ideas in this framework, providing support to Ukrainians on the ground. The connection between the city of Bordeaux and Kyiv has been crucial in supporting Ukrainians after three years of war and allows us to continue our actions linking Bordeaux and Ukraine through this strong institutional support. Here Europe and Ukraine strengthen cross-border partnerships for urban resilience and sustainable development. The Kyiv city council,, enabled us to immerse ourselves in Ukrainian culture and implement this knowledge into the project. The Kyiv city council also allowed us to build this pavilion on Thurkaniv Island, located in the center of the city on the Dnipro River.
At the local level, we mobilized different actors who provided us with a working and reception space to work safely away from bombings with children during the first week. We were able to work and store the children's creations at Creative States, a co-working space in the center of Kyiv. We also received support from the official sawmill of the Pushcha Vodytsa forest park managers, allowing us to cut and shape the wood to build the pavilion structure.
Through the various actors mobilized at both the international and local levels, we were able to carry out this project thanks to the funds raised, as well as the warm welcome from the Ukrainians and the availability of the spaces.
The design of this project was led by three main disciplines: architects, specialists working with children, and carpenters. Through an interdisciplinary and multicultural approach, we combined these different elements to enable children to play an active role in the project.
Architecture, child psychology, and construction techniques merged to create a space that is meaningful to the territory and culture, while also being functional and tailored to the developmental needs of children. Each discipline contributed throughout the project. The child specialists, in collaboration with the architects and carpenters, helped develop play activities and creative projects for the children. The architects then designed the shapes and spaces based on the children’s work, with the support of child specialists to interpret the results of the workshops and carpenters to establish a structure using local wood. In the final phase, the carpenters helped bring the design created by the collective to life, ensuring its efficient and sustainable construction.This participatory process not only promoted inclusivity for everyone involved, but it also allowed children to take ownership of the project from different perspectives and actively contribute to it.
Thanks to the multicultural approach of the team (French and Ukrainian), we were able to exchange experiences and foster intercultural understanding. By working together to design and build the playground, the participants had the opportunity to learn from each other’s perspectives, traditions, and approaches to architecture, thus strengthening international ties and promoting cultural appreciation.The inclusion of diverse perspectives also enhanced the community aspect of the space, encouraging intercultural exchanges and a sense of solidarity.The children felt more connected to their environment thanks to the different approaches. Here, the project resonates with Ukrainian culture while adopting a joyful participatory approach.
Architecture, child psychology, and construction techniques merged to create a space that is meaningful to the territory and culture, while also being functional and tailored to the developmental needs of children. Each discipline contributed throughout the project. The child specialists, in collaboration with the architects and carpenters, helped develop play activities and creative projects for the children. The architects then designed the shapes and spaces based on the children’s work, with the support of child specialists to interpret the results of the workshops and carpenters to establish a structure using local wood. In the final phase, the carpenters helped bring the design created by the collective to life, ensuring its efficient and sustainable construction.This participatory process not only promoted inclusivity for everyone involved, but it also allowed children to take ownership of the project from different perspectives and actively contribute to it.
Thanks to the multicultural approach of the team (French and Ukrainian), we were able to exchange experiences and foster intercultural understanding. By working together to design and build the playground, the participants had the opportunity to learn from each other’s perspectives, traditions, and approaches to architecture, thus strengthening international ties and promoting cultural appreciation.The inclusion of diverse perspectives also enhanced the community aspect of the space, encouraging intercultural exchanges and a sense of solidarity.The children felt more connected to their environment thanks to the different approaches. Here, the project resonates with Ukrainian culture while adopting a joyful participatory approach.
Many existing playgrounds in Ukraine follow a standard typology, often consisting of metal structures that don't fully capture children's imagination or offer diverse play opportunities. By introducing a new approach to playground design, we aim to break away from this conventional model and create a space that is truly engaging and fun for children. Our goal is to demonstrate the potential of innovative and inclusive playground designs that prioritize fun and the developmental needs of children, thereby establishing a new standard for playgrounds in Ukraine and beyond. Amid the challenges of war, the workshop aims to prioritize the well-being of children by providing them with a joyful space to play and relax. By involving them in the design process, we allow them to create a space that meets their needs and preferences, offering a sense of agency and ownership over their environment. Ultimately, the goal is to provide children with a temporary escape from the harsh realities of war, allowing them to immerse themselves in moments of joy and fun.
We worked through an interdisciplinary method focused on the participation of children. This working method allows for a horizontal project management structure, where everyone is a decision-maker on equal terms. Working with architects, child psychology experts, and carpenters enables us to approach the project from all its angles and to consider every aspect with the help of experts. The interactions also allow each person to enrich one another and understand the decisions made as the project progresses.
Beyond the interdisciplinary coordination, the workshop aims to involve the broader community in the creation process of the playground. Through awareness-raising sessions and community workshops, we seek to engage local residents in the project, thus fostering a sense of collective ownership and investment in the space. Over the course of the two-week project, from conception to completion, we dedicated one week to running workshops with the children, interpreting and designing the pavilion, and one week to construction and the inauguration.
Beyond the interdisciplinary coordination, the workshop aims to involve the broader community in the creation process of the playground. Through awareness-raising sessions and community workshops, we seek to engage local residents in the project, thus fostering a sense of collective ownership and investment in the space. Over the course of the two-week project, from conception to completion, we dedicated one week to running workshops with the children, interpreting and designing the pavilion, and one week to construction and the inauguration.
Three main aspects of the project can be applied as methodologies for other projects:
The project design generated through the participation of local populations can be applied to many other projects. Through participatory design workshops, children were invited to share their experiences, dreams, and ideas while being encouraged to learn from one another. This helped break cultural boundaries and enrich the playground space with elements inspired by a variety of cultures and disciplines. This method of collaborative design promotes tolerance and cooperation among the various entities involved in the project. Ensuring that all community groups have an equal voice in the process fosters essential inclusivity, ensuring that all needs are taken into account and that the population is connected to and aligned with the project before it even exists.
Furthermore, advocating for sustainable design practices using locally sourced ecological materials such as wood in construction is now applicable in many projects. By prioritizing environmental sustainability, we not only minimize our ecological footprint but also set an example for future architectural projects and perspectives to come.
Lastly, international cooperation and the support of external entities provide a fresh and pure perspective on a context and a project. In this project, for example, the use of local materials and forms inspired by traditional Ukrainian arts was combined with more universal play elements. This allowed for the creation of an environment where children feel grounded in their culture while being open to external influences.
The project design generated through the participation of local populations can be applied to many other projects. Through participatory design workshops, children were invited to share their experiences, dreams, and ideas while being encouraged to learn from one another. This helped break cultural boundaries and enrich the playground space with elements inspired by a variety of cultures and disciplines. This method of collaborative design promotes tolerance and cooperation among the various entities involved in the project. Ensuring that all community groups have an equal voice in the process fosters essential inclusivity, ensuring that all needs are taken into account and that the population is connected to and aligned with the project before it even exists.
Furthermore, advocating for sustainable design practices using locally sourced ecological materials such as wood in construction is now applicable in many projects. By prioritizing environmental sustainability, we not only minimize our ecological footprint but also set an example for future architectural projects and perspectives to come.
Lastly, international cooperation and the support of external entities provide a fresh and pure perspective on a context and a project. In this project, for example, the use of local materials and forms inspired by traditional Ukrainian arts was combined with more universal play elements. This allowed for the creation of an environment where children feel grounded in their culture while being open to external influences.
In the face of war, the project offers a glimmer of hope and an example of resilience. It shows that even in the darkest moments, children and communities can find ways to rebuild together. The cooperation around this pavilion is a message of peace and reconstruction, not only for Ukraine but for all of Europe.It symbolizes the power of human cooperation to overcome crisis, and Europe's ability to rise up collectively.
The project exemplifies effective international collaboration by engaging architects, child specialists, and carpenters. This cross-cultural and multidiscipline collaboration ensures that the project is both relevant to local needs and informed by diverse expertise. It also serves as a model for how international support can be effectively channeled into locally relevant solutions.
By designing a welcoming space for children impacted by the war and involving them in the creation of their environment, the project helps offer a sense of stability, creativity, and joy. It provides a moment of escape from the harsh realities of war and a space where children can regain a sense of agency and control, essential for their psychological and emotional recovery. It enables people to have a voice in their own future, even in difficult circumstances, and promotes social cohesion.
The project advocates for sustainable, eco-friendly design by using locally sourced, bio-based materials like wood. This not only minimizes the carbon footprint of the construction process but also demonstrates how sustainable practices can be integrated into community-based projects. It serves as a model for how eco-conscious design can be achieved even in crisis situations, promoting long-term sustainability.
The project exemplifies effective international collaboration by engaging architects, child specialists, and carpenters. This cross-cultural and multidiscipline collaboration ensures that the project is both relevant to local needs and informed by diverse expertise. It also serves as a model for how international support can be effectively channeled into locally relevant solutions.
By designing a welcoming space for children impacted by the war and involving them in the creation of their environment, the project helps offer a sense of stability, creativity, and joy. It provides a moment of escape from the harsh realities of war and a space where children can regain a sense of agency and control, essential for their psychological and emotional recovery. It enables people to have a voice in their own future, even in difficult circumstances, and promotes social cohesion.
The project advocates for sustainable, eco-friendly design by using locally sourced, bio-based materials like wood. This not only minimizes the carbon footprint of the construction process but also demonstrates how sustainable practices can be integrated into community-based projects. It serves as a model for how eco-conscious design can be achieved even in crisis situations, promoting long-term sustainability.
Exhibitions
Trukhaniv Island, Project presentation on site, Kyiv, Ukraine, 20/09/24
Grand Palais, Forum Wood construction, Paris, France, 26,27,28/02/25
Architecture school of Bordeaux, France, 11/04/25
Jean Moulin museum, Month of the picture, Bordeaux, France, 10/04/25
Town hall of Bordeaux, Day of Europe, Bordeaux France, 09/05/25
Conférences
Mohyla academy, Kyiv, 10/10/24
BA2E, Barp, France, 26/11/24
Meriadeck library, Bordeaux, France, 02/12/25
Town hall of Lille, INSPIRE, Lille, France, 04/12/25
Pictures report in Kyiv
Workshop 1
Workshop 2
Presentation work
Kids Models
Building process
Pavilion project
Trukhaniv Island, Project presentation on site, Kyiv, Ukraine, 20/09/24
Grand Palais, Forum Wood construction, Paris, France, 26,27,28/02/25
Architecture school of Bordeaux, France, 11/04/25
Jean Moulin museum, Month of the picture, Bordeaux, France, 10/04/25
Town hall of Bordeaux, Day of Europe, Bordeaux France, 09/05/25
Conférences
Mohyla academy, Kyiv, 10/10/24
BA2E, Barp, France, 26/11/24
Meriadeck library, Bordeaux, France, 02/12/25
Town hall of Lille, INSPIRE, Lille, France, 04/12/25
Pictures report in Kyiv
Workshop 1
Workshop 2
Presentation work
Kids Models
Building process
Pavilion project
