From Hong Kong to Yogyakarta: Connecting Communities Through Play
In late July, onebite’s Co-Founder Alan Cheung took the stage as a headline international speaker at this year’s MANTRA EXPO in Yogyakarta — Indonesia’s premier hub for art, craft, and creative design.
As the most established architecture exhibition in Central Java, Indonesia, the occasion gathered some of the most influential architects in the region for meaningful conversations. It was more than enlightening to learn the stories and work of many elite architects, working with the varied contexts of their cities to build better neighbourhoods.
Besides the pleasure of exchanging with Architecture veterans Yori Antar Awal, Rafiq Azam, Rebecca Vanessa Rellosa, Aannat Jui, Blasius Lukkie Putranto, and Baharuddin Yasin, Alan shared our approach to connecting people and shaping places that respond to community needs.
Designing for Communities
In his session “When Architecture Listens: Designing for Communities,” Alan shared onebite’s core design ethos: connecting people and shaping places that genuinely respond to the communities they serve. He discussed how urban acupuncture — the use of small-scale, precise spatial interventions— can be a powerful catalyst for social connection and belonging in hyper-dense urban environments.
Alan shared his view that meaningful change in hyper-dense cities does not always come from large-scale interventions. By deploying strategic, playable ‘bites’ of design — ranging from micro-interventions to expansive landscapes— we can act as urban healers, reclaiming and revitalising the places where we live.
He presented a selection of onebite-designed playgrounds and public spaces, including the Diamond Hill Water Feature Park, and The Wonderful Town of Play at T Town— all examples of how playable design can create impact in dense urban environments.
Engaging the Next Generation
Beyond the Expo, Alan had the privilege to engage with the next generation of architects and designers. Through judging panels and vibrant discussions at Atma Jaya Catholic University and the Universitas Islam Indonesia, he exchanged ideas with emerging designers and contributed to conversations around the future of community-focused design, and hearing ideas for green open spaces from students at SMAN 6 YOGYAKARTA.
Learn more about our latest projects and our approach to placemaking.
