Open City Young City Makers

25 June 2025

Members of our team have had a great time conducting three workshops with Open City Young City Makers.

The sessions, designed for Key Stage Two students, focussed on the theme of “Play,” where students were invited to map their journey to school.

Session 1 saw the team visiting Lyon Park Primary School in Wembley for the first time.

The students in both classes were very engaged and enthusiastic about the chance to reimagine their city in a more playful way.

During the second session the team worked together with the students to create a 3D model of their ‘Playful City’.

They developed their sketch ideas into a three dimensional city model playfully re-imagining; housing, waste, business, energy, health and social places.

Rubbish trampolining and dunking in the correct basketball recycling hoops rewarded players with icecreams, whilst the organic refuse went to a garden where they could play and plant. Wave and wind turbines doubled as ferris wheels for rides whilst making energy to run business needs and become a green business. The social space was a game building through which teams had to cooperate to navigate mazes and obstacle courses to reach the beach and refreshments on the roof. Housing became a playground that allowed easy connections on and over, to and with friends. The students worked tirelessly and creatively together. It was magical.

The team’s final adventure with the Young City Makers was a trip to Kings Cross.

On a very hot and sunny day the students expertly put their urban-play theories into practice introducing play into the Granary Square fountains, Gas Cylinder Park, the Coal Drops Yard and by the canal.

Using their experiences from the previous design and model making workshops, the students sketched their ideas to make the Kings Cross area more playful.

A big Thanks to the Open City team for their support and the students of Lyon Park Primary School for their enthusiasm and creativity. It was great fun working with you!