Over a thousand children participate in an inclusive design research project of a country park, as part of the PolyU School of Design’s research on children and public design

“Playful Public Design by Children” is an inclusive design research project involved kid art educators as facilitators, 1,023 children with their family who applied design thinking in Shing Mun Country Park. The research project commenced in March 2019 was co-led by our Public Design Lab and CreativeKids, a group of art and design studios for children and teenagers in Hong Kong.

In a real-life research setting, the participants learnt to take a critical look at the relationship among human, animals and nature so as to apply design thinking on the public space, facilities and structures. They attempted to identify and solve problems through creating whimsical treehouses, gazebos, observation towers, playful tools, monkey signage, recycling bins and self-directed design.

The deliverables of the project not only include many wonderful creations by our young generations, but also a publication and an exhibition currently held at Jockey Club Innovation Tower on campus to showcase the designs.

The project was recognized the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and was selected by to be Hong Kong’s entry for the international Golden Cubes Award 2020 organised by the International Union of Architects (UIA) last year.  

Exhibition of Playful Public Design by Children (玩樂公共設計展覽)
28 – 30/10/2021: Gallery D
31/10 – 19/11/2021: Gallery A
Podium level, Innovation Tower, PolyU
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