Play School

Having a kid in Hong Kong is apparently mad expensive. Unlike in other parts of the world where having more than one child is like another tatty in the pot thanks to free schools and the like, here I'm told that the cost of having kids ruins parents. In Wan Chai, a 7,500 square foot of space designed by Joey Ho is the latest place to keep the annoying children of Hong Kong and is another option for bank breaking childcare.

Throughout the centre, cliches are replaced with a neutral palette of white, light green, pastel blue, wood and while there is no lack of playful details the interior is a light refreshing, but while reading up on this new space I was struck buy how much of a big deal the articles and designer make about bringing children and parents together.

Hong Kong is a city full of children, people who act like children and it generally feels like a society that it infantilized at every turn, fuck people can't even cross the road here with out the green man. So, although the design is lovely and obvious, I can't help but feel so sad that there's such a song and dance about the simple fact that grown ups and children are to be encourages to be together and interacting.

I feel like it's implying that the consensus of this city is of that childcare as a mysterious chore and best shoved off to someone else. The way this place is being advertised is like Hong Kong is just discovered Madame Montessori.

The design it's has a few focal points, mainly the two “tree houses”, that invite the kids to explore and interact. Audience bench seating and folding wall panels make for flexible and functional space to accommodate a variety of activities such as shows or exhibitions. The cooking studio and activity rooms are designed with colorful graphics mimicking the cityscape decorating all the walls and doors. Finally the 'inspiration' taken from greenery outside is used to create privacy 'pods' for internet surfing, I assume removing any need to go outside or get dirty.

I wanted to like this space. and I kind of do. I just got totally jaded by the bullshit chat surrounding it, which is something I usually take in my stride but today was too much. Check some of the links out yourself.