Somana Sok

Reimagine Play transforms the heritage-listed Palais Theatre in St Kilda into an immersive indoor playground and research hub. It revives the imaginative, self-directed spirit of 19th-century play and reinterprets it for a generation shaped by digital culture and new safety standards. A lightweight removable net structure spans the theatre’s interior, creating a dynamic environment for climbing, movement, and exploration while preserving heritage. Alongside it, a research lab studies contemporary play behaviours, positioning the project as both a living playground and a space for learning.

The drawing reveals how the new interior structure weaves through the existing heritage shell, creating a dynamic environment for climbing, movement, and exploration. It highlights the relationship between old and new, showing how the design transforms the theatre into an immersive, contemporary play space while respecting its original character.