How did a health rehabilitation services complex turn into a visual art gallery? The key was participatory design!

The service team at the Providence Garden for Rehab (PGR) aims to build a home in which members can find comfort and sense of belonging and, at the same time, to further develop art therapy. As the members’ works reflect their artistic talent, the team believes that this talent should not be restricted to drawing paper and exhibitions. Rather, with participatory design, the complex can be transformed into an art gallery, allowing more people to see the members’ talent and hard work.

PGR’s service team, which includes social workers, art therapists, etc., discussed with Kam Wah’s design team their expectations for the artworks and other elements they had hoped to collect from the design workshop. The goal was to have the workshop be effective both in terms of art therapy and participatory design. The workshop went smoothly. Thirty-two members were divided into eight groups. With the four seasons as the theme, they painted animals in swamps, forests, grasslands, and snow mountains. The designer combined everyone’s artwork into murals that fit the columns and exterior glass walls, leaving some parts blank for the members to fill in. There was a lot of laughter during this process. Everyone was very busy. Not only did the social workers keep things running smoothly, they also worked with the members on the murals, The art therapist and the designers also taught the members colouring techniques and encouraged them to create collaboratively.

In the end, the lives of animals throughout the four seasons were introduced to PGR. While you are viewing this webpage, we sincerely invite you to visit there, appreciate the members’works, and feel the fun of participatory design.

H.K.S.K.H. Multi-disciplinary Outreaching Support Team for the Elderly (Kowloon Central Cluster): Increasing storage space

After being operated for a while, the centre often starts to run out of storage space. It used to rely on heavy-duty shelves, which were suitable for large goods and items, but not so practical for keeping regular documents. Oftentimes, because the shelves were too deep, it was difficult for the staff to retrieve relevant documents, yet easy for items to accumulate and for the storage room to become cluttered. To make it easier for the staff to attend online meetings, the designer designed a pull-out shelf and a power outlet around the mid-waist position. For the storage/photocopying room, a cabinet was custom-made to serve both as storage and as a bulletin board for the staff to post useful notices and flyers. By talking with the staff, understanding their needs, and accommodating the existing space, suitable storage units and furniture were designed.

The designer had rich experience in renovating social-service units, was good at communicating with the staff, and made appropriate design suggestions based on their operational needs.

Established over 40 years ago, H.K.S.K.H. St. Nicholas's Nursery School has embarked on a journey of revitalization to embrace change and provide its students with new horizons. This year, a refreshing transformation has taken place. Following extensive communication with the school, the interior design team proposed an idea to paint the lobby walls with bright yet soothing pattern lines, creating a visual connection between the poster board, trophy display cabinet, and the school name. The chosen paint color carries a hint of Nordic influence, complemented by the understated elegance of three-dimensional gray lettering for the school name. The harmonious interplay between vibrant and serene tones strikes the perfect balance, infusing the kindergarten with a lively and dynamic atmosphere.

The storage room was transformed into a interview room with additional storage. A notice board and a foldable countertop were installed for operational purpose.

Opened up the activity room to allow more space and flexibility, A full height mirror was installed at Band Room for members to practice dancing. The activity room is multi-functional and also serves as a conference room.

Automatic hand dryers and mixes were installed to upgrade the washroom facilities.

Extra storage was added to the mirror cabinets and basin cabinets. Pantry was redesigned to accommodate storage for tools and supplies.

Storage and charging function under the countertop have added to the kitchen island at domestic science room. Principles of simplicity and functionality have been adopted to accommodate 30 staff in this 330 square feet space.

Due to the original door panel being made of heavy iron material, years of repeated opening and closing had caused the top and bottom hinges to become strained, resulting in the door becoming misaligned. In addition, the hinges showed signs of rust and aging, which once led to a near-collapse of the door. In light of this and to prevent any accidents, the S.K.H. Holy Carpenter Church District Elderly Community Centre decided to replace both the door panel and the hinges. The new door panel is made of a lighter wood material, enhanced with decorative moldings and embossed patterns featuring traditional Chinese elements. The colour was changed to a light beige tone, which, compared to the old multi-coloured striped iron door, gives the entire space a more elegant, clean, bright, and spacious appearance.

What could a public space for young people to “hea” and “chill” look like?

A simple setup—a long outdoor bench, a potted plant, a quirky oil painting, a few decorative items promoting positive thinking, and a small ambient lamp—can come together to create a cozy, artsy atmosphere. This kind of space offers young people a sense of emotional comfort and encouragement, giving them a place to unwind, de-stress, and simply be.

The newly installed full-height cubby-style display cabinet fits perfectly into the recessed space between the column and the window. Its design features a dynamic interplay of recessed and protruding layers, creating a sense of depth. Enhanced by carefully positioned lighting, the items displayed within the cabinet are clearly visible and beautifully highlighted.

Background:

Lok Man Alice Kwok Integrated Service Centre has received funding from the Innovation and Technology Fund for the “Smart Silver” Digital Inclusion Programmes . This two-year initiative aims to promote digital inclusion among the elderly by providing enhanced resources and training programs for digital education. The project encourages seniors to learn and apply digital technologies, stay up to date with new developments, and improve their quality of life and convenience through technology. While aging in place, seniors can maintain connections with the outside world, enrich their daily lives, and experience greater happiness in their later years.

Suggestion :

A designated area within the centre has been set up as a consultation station. To ensure that seniors can seek advice freely and comfortably, the station has been designed as a smart-friendly space with an open and relaxed atmosphere. Instead of the typical queue-based setup, cozy round tables resembling a tea lounge have been introduced. This welcoming environment positively supports seniors in learning new things and enhances their experience with smart technology. The tea-lounge-style consultation station is themed around digital innovation, with the slogan “Technology, Connection, Happiness.” It will feature various smart products, age-friendly tech devices, and interactive digital games for seniors to explore and engage with independently.

To support the future enhancement projects of Providence Garden for Rehab, the signage on the Ground Floor (0/F) and First Floor (1/F) has undergone a renovation as the first step. The design of the signage continues the aesthetic spirit of the garden on the G/F, featuring a casing in natural tones—wood and green—complemented by soft lighting to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Participatory design elements have also been incorporated, showcasing members’ vibrant artwork such as butterflies and parrots. This not only unifies the overall design of the facility but also allows more people to appreciate the talent and effort of the members. The signage strips use a white background with black text in an appropriately sized font, ensuring that floor information is clear and easy to read.