Part(k) of the City explores the possibilities of creating micro parks through railing interventions. Inspired by how people have been adapting railings for different purposes, the team endeavors to go beyond the linear and singular use of railings to create a playful design intervention with minimal proportions (foldability and portability) with maximized functions (seating, reading, sharing).
Gary Chang
Hong Kong-based Mentor
Zoey Chan (HK)
Architecture and Landscape
DickWai Lai (HK)
Graphic and Branding
Jose Fu (PRD)
New Media and Technology
At the start of the project, the team was inspired by how people use existing railings around the city for different purposes, despite the fact that railings are designed solely as a spatial barrier. On a research basis, the team built up two archives, one documenting existing railings in terms of form, function, material and cost; and the other capturing how people utilize different types of railings. The team also looked at case studies in other countries and their respective implications as reference.
Please read page 50 - 73 of our Programme Portfolio for more details.
Our railing intervention prototype has a simple idea: we would like to make an object that is transformable and portable, which can serve different purposes in the form a micro-park in response to the citizens’ needs. As a portable design, the prototype can be easily attached to any railings in the city to form a micro park wherever and whenever the public needs it.
Produced in collaboration with the Napp Studio, the prototype simply resembles a wooden chair at first glance. However, it is more than just a chair. It has more to offer with its versatile design. For example, it becomes a shelf for storage when folded up.