Citizen M Hotel
Estate Playground

Part of the London Design Festival, Estate Playground draws upon Ilori’s memories of the public playground from his youth which the local kids adored despite its shabbiness. He says, ‘I held my playground so high in my heart, you would think all the objects were made out of gold’. The neighbourhood gathering space of his youth bestowed a sense of belonging on those who frequented it, providing an oasis among the brutalist architecture.

Featuring bright patterns used in traditional Nigerian textiles, Estate Playground is influenced by Yinka’s African family roots and symbolises a sense of community, friendship and playfulness - all values embodied by citizenM. The installation aimed to remind visitors of their own childhood and the sense of wonder, adventure and freedom that the playground presents.

Yinka Ilori invokes these memories in a colourful installation which catches the attention of passersby and LDF visitors, encouraging people to linger, share ideas, and interact indiscriminately as kids do on a playground.

Client
Citizen M

Practice
Architecture
Interior design