What might a new interpretation of a children’s playground look like?

Four design practices from New York, Amsterdam, London and Dublin have been shortlisted to develop plans for the Play Park in Ballyfermot. The competition, run by the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF), the Matheson Foundation and Dublin City Council, asked designers and architects from around the world to consider a new recreational space for the west Dublin suburb.

Judges included Amica Dall a member of the Turner Prize favourites, Assemble, and Diarmaid Lawlor, head of Urbanism at Architecture and Design Scotland, among others.

The shortlisted practices are Dublin’s Y design workshop; Conte Murata Cheung from New York; Dutch-based dmau + Open Fabric; and London’s Relational Urbanism. Ballyfermot, which is to incorporate a play area and skate/BMX park, could soon be pioneering a new departure in exciting and innovative children’s public play spaces. See facebook.com/playparkballyfermot for more.