I believe play is intrinsic to being human. Just as it is vital for other mammals, play is essential for development and for becoming an active part of a society. My projects, spanning different cultures and socio-demographic contexts, have shown me that play is the universal language of children. From refugee camps in Lebanon to Australian school children everywhere play in remarkably similar ways. Play connects across language barriers.

However, obstacles like time, space, and circumstances can prevent play from emerging. Through field research and participatory design, I strive to identify and address these barriers, making play more accessible to all.

In my designs, I always search for the starting point for play. Rather than dictating how play should be, I try to create opportunities where imagination and creativity can unfold. It’s like the story of The Little Prince, where the prince asks the pilot to draw a sheep. None of the drawings are right until the pilot draws a box with three holes and says, “The sheep is inside.” To his amazement, the prince’s imagination comes to life. This metaphor inspires my approach to design - I aim to create the “box” that unfold endless possibilities for play and imagination.