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Considered an essential activity for children and one that is constantly evolving, play has transitioned from a free, informal concept to a structured activity incorporating a variety of factors designed to foster physical, cognitive, creative, and socio-emotional development. Studied by educators such as Friedrich Fröbel, who became renowned for his pioneering theories on kindergarten, play was championed as a driver of spontaneous development through recreational activities. Over time, this laid the groundwork for a concept that spread across Europe during the 19th century and eventually reached the United States with the creation of the first playground in Chicago in 1892, marking a turning point in the relationship between physical space and recreation.

More than a century later, much has changed. Today, play structures are evolving alongside user habits, adapting to contexts where they were historically absent, such as indoor environments. This shift is largely driven by optimized dimensions, technical enhancements, and advanced technologies that enable the development of increasingly durable, versatile, and sustainable materials. Together, these advancements yield solutions that foster new ways of experiencing these spaces, offering an alternative approach where utility converges with leisure. Responding to this dynamic, Urbanplay has introduced a new indoor play concept utilizing modular solutions from Kompan, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality play equipment. This approach focuses on creating customized play areas to enhance the user experience and foster more welcoming, inclusive, and easily accessible recreational environments.

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Fertile Futures is the title of Portugal's official representation at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia 2023. Curated by Andreia Garcia alongside deputy curators Ana Neiva and Diogo Aguiar, the project aims to address water resource issues in seven Portuguese hydrogeographies and encourage reflection on building a sustainable, equitable, and fertile future. To this end, seven design teams — Corpo Atelier, Dulcineia Santos Studio, Guida Marques, Ilhéu Atelier, Pedrêz, Ponto Atelier, and Space Transcribers — were invited to reimagine distinct possibilities for these territories.

In an effort to expand access to the content exhibited in Venice, we present here the texts and images from the Portuguese pavilion, as well as photographs of the exhibition space. ArchDaily would like to thank the curatorial and communication team of Fertile Futures, who generously provided the material for this publication.

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A cada ano, a equipe de Curadoria de Projetos do ArchDaily rememora a vasta gama de obras publicadas ao longo desse período, apresentando retrospectivas que permitem não apenas identificar tendências e variações na produção arquitetônica, mas também reconhecer de que forma impactam a nossa audiência. No ArchDaily Brasil, a seleção anual de melhores casas – que ano após ano, segue permanecendo como nossa categoria de projeto mais popular – representa uma amostra das variadas soluções, estratégias, técnicas e materiais encontrados na arquitetura residencial dos países de língua portuguesa.

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Have you ever wondered how an exhibition design is conceived? Or how it coordinates the staging of the displayed content?

Historically, what we know today as a museum began as a place to gather pieces and objects organized by typology. This is evident when looking at images of the so-called cabinets of curiosities or wonder rooms, which organized a vast array of rare objects and species (animal, plant, and mineral) brought back from the great explorations of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Centuries later, these collections began to gain traction, and former palaces transformed their hallways into long, continuous galleries, to which only their guests and residents had access. Later, in the 19th century, the emergence of pavilions dedicated primarily to the display of artifacts brought us closer to the modern concept of museums. We regularly publish various museum projects. But beyond their architecture, have you ever noticed the crucial role that exhibition design plays? Below, we outline some of the key concepts of exhibition design.