A giant, climbable installation and a collection of handcrafted, sculptural ice lollies have landing in Lewis Cubitt Square at King’s Cross – and everyone’s invited.
Playframe is a colourful, open-air installation designed for climbing, exploring and pausing in the heart of the city, offering unexpected moments of play and discovery.
A reimagining of Play With(out) Grounds, Playframe was designed by vPPR for the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale (2021) as part of the Garden of Privatised Delights at the British Pavilion. Curated by Madeleine Kessler and Manijeh Verghese, it formed one of six immersive spaces exploring how people interact with public space, asking a simple question: who is our built environment really designed for?
Now reimagined in vivid yellow and installed in Lewis Cubitt Square, it arrives in London as an open invitation – to people of all ages – to climb, explore and escape in the city.
Alongside it comes a limited-edition collection of ice lollies, crafted by Araw and inspired by the places and experiences that make King’s Cross unique. Moulded into fun, playful and iconic shapes from across the neighbourhood and available exclusively in Lewis Cubitt Square, each lolly is designed to be as visually striking as it is refreshing.
Together, Playframe and Araw’s lollies create one big, multi-sensory experience: something to climb and something to savour, bringing architecture, design and frozen treats together in a celebration of summer in the city.
Melissa Woolford, Founder and Director of the Museum of Architecture (MoA), says: “Playframe started life at the Venice Architecture Biennale as a question about who our public spaces are really designed for, and whether play belongs only to children. At MoA, we’ve always believed architecture works best when it reaches everyone, not just those who already feel it’s for them. Bringing this to King’s Cross this summer feels like a natural next step, with people looking to spend time across the neighbourhood and soak up all it has to offer.”
Four ways to escape (on a stick)
Created exclusively for King’s Cross, each of Araw’s limited-edition lollies takes its cue from a different corner of the neighbourhood, combining playful design with inventive flavour combinations inspired by some of today’s most talked-about ingredients – such as pandan and ube – alongside nostalgic British summer classics.
The Canal Boat: Inspired by the Regent’s Canal, The Canal Boat evokes slow, sun-soaked walks and laid-back moments by the water. A refreshing blend of coconut milk, raspberry and lychee, it captures the easy-going spirit of summer by the canal.
The Spritz: A nod to the sociable spirit of King’s Cross, The Spritz is made for sunny afternoons and long evenings spent with friends. A playful take on both the classic popsicle and the iconic orange aperitif, this non-alcoholic lolly delivers a bright zesty flavour, with the option to add a sprinkling of Tajín for an extra tangy twist. Suitable for all ages.
The Dinosaur: A playful wink to Lightroom’s Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs, The Dinosaur brings a sense of imagination and discovery. Featuring a nostalgic yet unexpected Pandan Mango Trifle flavour, topped with toasted coconut and ladyfingers.
The Coal Drops Yard: Inspired by the neighbourhood’s distinctive architecture and creative, characterful edge, this indulgent Ube Basque cheesecake lolly celebrates one of today’s most exciting ingredients through a contemporary take on a much-loved dessert.
Crafted by Araw and available for £3.50 each, each lolly blends the familiar with the unexpected, transforming a classic summer treat into a miniature edible sculpture.
Keziah Manluctao, founder of Araw, says: “With Araw, everything starts from a feeling or a memory, and this collection was about capturing those simple, joyful moments you get in summer. Each lolly takes inspiration from the spirit of King’s Cross, but also from that idea of discovery and comfort that I always come back to in my work. I’m really interested in using flavour to create something that feels both familiar and a little unexpected, so each one becomes its own small moment of escape.”
A neighbourhood-wide escape
As part of its wider Escape in London programme, King’s Cross invites visitors to enjoy a summer of world-class experiences from free canal-side film screenings with Everyman on the Canal from 29 June to 16 August to live music at Summer Sounds from 13-23 August, bringing laid-back, sun-soaked evenings and a true “summer-in-the-city” atmosphere to life.
Whether soaking up the sun with a cocktail or reading a book in the shade of a tree, it’s a chance to unwind, see where the day takes you and discover something new with every visit.
Across the summer, the programme unfolds through a series of experiences and pop-ups, from independent markets to golden hour gatherings and open-air culture. Highlights include:
Six unmissable summer markets running until September, offering pan-Asian street food, laid-back wine tasting, second-hand fashion, independent makers and standout design
Miraval Rosé pop-up running until 6 September, transporting visitors to the Mediterranean with exceptional wines, cocktails and Provençal elegance
Free pétanque in Pancras Square running until 30 September, perfect for easy-going afternoons in the sunshine
Yard Line-Up at Coal Drops Yard running until 23 October, bringing a rotating mix of London’s most exciting food talent to the neighbourhood
Everyman on the Canal running until 16 August, where film nights stretch into warm, social evenings by the water
Summer Sounds (13-23 August), London’s highly anticipated FREE music and performance festival
With vibrant shopping, dining and leisure all in one laid-back setting, brands across the neighbourhood are celebrating summer in true King’s Cross fashion. At Granary Square Brasserie, a special menu brings different delicious dishes to the table every day of the week, while Electric Shuffle is serving up a limited-edition summer cocktail menu, a World Cup viewing party and what promises to be London’s longest happy hour. Visitors to Floating Garden can get hands-on with flower-making workshops, community gardening sessions and canalside music events, adding a creative, community-led energy to the summer season.
There are countless ways to slow down and enjoy the neighbourhood for those looking to linger a little longer, from wildlife experiences at Camley Street Natural Park and free fitness sessions by the canal to open-air dancing, evening chess and peaceful waterside walks.
Emma Symonds, Senior Events and Enlivenment Manager at King’s Cross, says: “From al fresco screenings by the canal to markets brimming with creativity and our much-loved music and dance festival, Summer at King’s Cross has a rhythm of its own. Playframe and Araw add something completely new to the mix this year, bringing together play, discovery and great food. These affordable and free experiences are the kind that makes King’s Cross the go-to escape in London this summer.”
