“Intergenerational Play Space Design Competition - Prosperous Garden” Showcases Innovative Winning Projects

Jointly organised by the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (JCDISI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), the “Intergenerational Play Space Design Competition - Prosperous Garden” has successfully concluded and the award presentation ceremony was held today (14 November). The competition is one of the action projects under the PolyU Jockey Club “Operation SoInno” programme.

With multi-disciplinary input as a key entry criterion, the competition attracted 18 teams from the professional category and 59 teams from the university category to contend for the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in each category. A “My Play, My Say” Award was specifically made for the most popular design voted by the general public. Participants were required to redesign the public space in Prosperous Garden of the HKHS as a case study, with the aim of fostering intergenerational harmony with a creative yet practical design proposal.

The Gold Award in the professional category went to the team formed by Liane Cheung, Cherry Lo, Yammie Mak, Ng Siu-cheong, Tsang Suet-ming and Aaron Yu. Their project, named “Imagine with Senses - The Playspace of Serendipity”, focuses on four major elements: “Sensory Play”, “Imagination”, “Nature” and “Intergenerational Design”. The Playspace is divided into active and passive zones. In the active zone, colourful power-generating pavements, Virtual Reality technology facilities and fitness equipment are incorporated to encourage intergenerational harmony. The passive zone provides green areas with community gardens and landscapes. The overall design includes barrier-free access to enable wheelchair users to enjoy the facilities and interact with others. The design project also won the “My Play, My Say” Award in the professional category.

Another project named “Prospect Ring” was given the Gold Award in the university category, which was designed by Chan Woon-kit, Che Ka-chun, Cheng Chi-lam, Cheng Wing-sze, Wan Ho-yin and Yeung Hon-lim, who are students from the City University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Incorporating the unique history and cultural heritage of Yau Ma Tei, such as the typhoon shelter, jade market and fruit market, the design aims to create an intergenerational play space through five core elements including history, art, landscape, play and fitness. “Prospect Ring” adopts ramps in lieu of staircases, and it also features an art wall and digital information technology for park management to enhance its attractiveness.

Dr Lawrence Li Kwok-chang, Deputy Chairman of the PolyU Council and Chairman of the competition’s jury panel said, “In the face of an ageing population, more effort should be devoted to fostering intergenerational harmony. Though the winning pieces have their own design emphasis based on their interpretation of intergenerational play, the core parts are all about enhancing the sense of belonging to the community, connecting intergenerational groups with the community, and developing a sustainable society, thereby helping to cultivate intergenerational diversity and inclusion. In addition, the entries demonstrated the potential of transdisciplinary and cross-sector social collaboration in promoting intergenerational play spaces. We are delighted to see the public stand together with the PolyU JCDISI on the common goal of creating more intergenerational play spaces for our community.”

HKHS Chief Executive Officer James Chan said, “Intergenerational harmony has always been a concept underpinning the various housing projects of the HKHS, and it is also an important element of creating a sustainable community. It is hoped that this competition will raise public awareness of intergenerational play spaces. The innovative ideas from the winning projects will also bring inspiration to the community and the industry for creating more intergenerational play spaces that help facilitate a better community for ‘ageing in place’.”

The jury panel consisted of PolyU Council Deputy Chairman Dr Lawrence Li Kwok-chang; the Elderly Commission and JCDISI Advisory Committee Chairman Dr Lam Ching-choi; HKHS Chief Executive Officer Mr James Chan; Hong Kong Institute of Planners President Mr Lawrence Chau; and Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects President Ms Iris Hoi. Winning entries were judged on the following criteria: “Academic Research Value and Social Impact”, “Thematic Spatial Design”, “Involvement of Local and Nearby Community”, “Reflection from Relevant Workshop”, “Practicality” and “Cost Estimation”.

Prizes of HK$30,000, HK$20,000 and HK$10,000 were awarded to the Gold, Silver and Bronze awardees respectively from the professional category, and HK$10,000, HK$7,000 and HK$3,000 for the university category. Please click HERE for the list of awardees.

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