Hangout Depot
How might we build the connection and communication between disabled and abled people by lighting up a fully inclusive environment that makes everyone feel they belong?
Site Location
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Chengdu Special Education School
Experimental Foreign Language School
Shawan Road Primary School
Site Location
Bus and Subway Station
School Around
To many leaves
Unnecessary fixtures that block the way
Seating that seperated people
Social Impact Goals
Gather
Communication
Interaction
Observation
Stay
Target Visitors
Cong and Qi
14 years old
deaf/ mute students
home is a 15 min walk from school
walk past the site on the way back home
Fang
72 years old
retired elementary school teacher
lives across the street
lives around here for about 20 years.
Jianhua
75 years old
stroke for many years
lives across the street
playing cards is one of his interest
Key Design Element 1
Tree branch light fixture
This is an interactive lighting device installed on tree branches, designed to collect sunlight from above the tree canopy and redirect it to the area beneath the canopy. It provides illumination in the form of light columns for activities area beneath the tree canopy.
5 purposes of the light fixture
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attract passerby's attention
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Light up the space underneath the tree branches
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All people can participate and interact with the light beam
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A metaphor of sign language
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Clearer observation for playing cards
Ideation Process
Story Boards
Key Design Element 2
Bamboo Bench
These bamboo benches are made using traditional Chinese bamboo weaving techniques, and come in three different heights to accommodate the needs of both the elderly and children. The chairs will be arranged according to the location of trees on the site.
Ideation Process
Story Boards
Key Design Element 3
Ramp around the tree
During my site observation, I noticed that there were more than one elderly people with limited mobility around the site. One particular elderly person was on a wheelchair and faced significant inconvenience. He was also an enthusiast of the card game, but had to sit at the outskirts of the crowd and couldn't see the game. Therefore, I wanted to design a circular ramp around the trees so that people on wheelchairs can have an elevated view of the game.
Ideation Process
Story Boards
Renderings
Designed by Tracy Tu
2021 Summer