James’ Garden Inclusive Playground | Hong Kong

Our design was anchored by a looping, funnel-shaped running track that visually broke down the barrier between the zones. Dressed in two shades of orange, the darker shade represented a more intense workout, incorporating steps traversing the existing planter wall, while the running lane in a lighter shade offered a leisurely run through gentle ramps that connected the community garden and The Open Table. The track was adorned with numbers, motifs, and encouraging words in stark white paint which motivate runners to push on until the end.

The wider end of the funnel enclosed an area with circular motifs, geometric patterns, and number floor markings that encouraged unstructured play among children. This approach helped to foster creativity, problem-solving abilities, and social skills. The narrower end of the funnel cleverly disguised the existing planter wall with a timber deck that resembled a bandstand, providing an intimate setting for groups to gather. This non-traditional playground offered an accessible space for various activities, encouraging users to engage in physical and social activities.

We also designed a community garden that housed 45 planter spots of various sizes, four of which were accessible to wheelchair users. The planters were connected by a winding three-tiered timber deck that seemed to radiate out from two existing mature trees on-site. Their generous canopies provided shade for most of the garden, making it an inviting place to relax at any time of the day.

We chose a bold and vibrant colour scheme of orange, turquoise, dark blue, and neon colours for our design, extending the colour palate from the running track to the corridors across the four-storey building, injecting a playful touch to the otherwise plain-white building. We included inspirational quotes, words of encouragement, and playful elements like a dot matrix and height measuring scale as part of the wall and floor decorations. Each floor had its own colour scheme, which would help dementia patients navigate the building more easily.

To infuse life into the neighbouring community in Hung Hom, we transformed the 50-metre-long exterior perimeter wall into a vibrant mural that represented the objectives of James' Garden. Artist UUendy Lau was invited to create the artwork, based on the theme "Let us Grow Together". The mural represented the different stages of community development through the analogy of planting. The five stages, “Seeding”, “Nurturing”, “Collaborating”, “Exploring”, and “Flourishing”, incorporated themes of gardening and play, echoing our inclusive playground design. The mural also featured groups of comic characters that represented the diverse community of James' Garden, including families, wheelchair users, and members of Hong Kong's minority community.

In a show of commitment to fostering a sense of belonging within the community, volunteers from SJS, the sponsoring organisation Chinachem, and residents came together to add the final touches to the mural alongside UUendy. This collaboration underscored the dedication to creating meaningful placemaking activities that contribute towards building an inclusive and love-filled Hong Kong.