Are we overprotecting play? | Mike Hewson

Mike Hewson is originally from Aotearoa New Zealand and has been based in Sydney for the past decade. He has a background in structural engineering and heavy-civil construction, and he holds a Master of Fine Arts in visual arts from Columbia University. Mike is perhaps best known for his inventive hybrid playground projects, which he describes as part art and part infrastructure. In 2025, Mike opened his first solo presentation, The Key’s Under the Mat, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The exhibition invites visitors to rethink what a playground and public space can be – a recurring agenda throughout Mike’s work. In today’s episode, Emily Wong, editor of Landscape Australia, sits down with Mike to discuss how avoiding overdesigning (or overprescribing) public space can foster moments of unexpected delight, playful risk and multi-generational inclusivity. Further Reading Playful chaos: the art of risky playgrounds https://architectureau.com/articles/playful-chaos-the-art-of-risky-playgrounds/ Discovery and daring: Rocks on Wheels https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/rocks-on-wheels/ Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat https://architectureau.com/calendar/exhibitions/mike-hewson-the-keys-under-the-mat/