The 'blokovi' in New Belgrade consist of high-rise concrete blocks built during the Yugoslav era in Serbia, the intensity of which can be overwhelming for residents. Tucked amongst the towers of Blok 63, the Playground Project aims to disrupt its grey surroundings with a colourful and uplifting space designed for both youth and adults.

Placed on a disused green space that sits above a car park, the building is comprised of a café, nursery and rooftop playground that connects them. The design creates a space where children can play safely and experiment with different equipment and materials, pushing their boundaries.

The café is open and inviting to anyone: parents looking after their children while they are in the nursery and tourists who visit the socialist blocks out of interest in Belgrade’s brutalist architecture. The nursery is kept separate during weekdays so that the children can enjoy their learning time in a safe environment. However, at weekends it can be connected to the other spaces, enabling additional freedom of use and movement. Adults and children are encouraged to make shared use of the space, reframing the building’s social dynamic.