InPARK

InPARK, which stands for Industrial Park, is a park designed in an industrial theme with open-air galleries. The site was formerly a typical sitting-out area known as Tsun Yip Street Playground with a total area of about 8 440 m2. The park was initially built to serve workers around the Kwun Tong Industrial Area. In the wake of the transformation of the district in recent years, the park underwent two phases of renovation in order to cater for community needs.

InPARK, which stands for Industrial Park, is a park designed in an industrial theme with open-air galleries. The site was formerly a typical sitting-out area known as Tsun Yip Street Playground with a total area of about 8 440 m<sup>2</sup>. The park was initially built to serve workers around the Kwun Tong Industrial Area. In the wake of the transformation of the district in recent years, the park underwent two phases of renovation in order to cater for community needs.
The site is re-designed to provide more greenery and leisure space for public enjoyment. In reminiscent of the manufacturing industry’s history in Hong Kong, the industrial culture is boldly integrated into the design.
The yellow vertical container is a focus in the park showcasing a large scale light installation entitled <i>"The Light of Industry"</i>. At night, its colourful light effects symbolise the vibrant industrial culture of East Kowloon and yearns for a robust growth.
InPARK serves as a green-lung in the densly-built commercial area, offering a piece of serenity for users working or living in the neighbourhood.
The container-like pavilion accommodates exhibitions and facilitates cultural and art exchanges. Landscape amenities like raised decks, seating and shelter allow all users to enjoy the park.
Public artworks are installed to provide a glimpse of old Kwun Tong as a centre of manufacturing. These mesmerising artworks integrated with local historical characteristics illustrate the district’s history throughout the park. One of the artworks <i>“Stitching Memories”</i>, is a vintage sewing machine dedicated to the local women who used their sewing skills to support their family as well as a token of gratitude for their contribution to Hong Kong’s garment industry.
<i>“The Fabric Green”</i>, an artwork created using recyclable materials, capturing a frame from the motion of spinning and weaving textiles.
The installation forms a series of colourful arches which visitors can walk through. When sunlight penetrates through the patterned canopy, the shadow will tint and cast different patterns onto the visitors and the pathway.
These artworks highlight the industrial history and culture in Kowloon East and showcase the vision of integrating future commercial developments and creative design.
The industrial container was split into transitional, secluded spaces between indoor and outdoor environments which visitors can wind down and socialise.
Bamboo dividers are screens with a touch of natural element that set up well-ventilated spaces with different levels of privacy.
The conversion of industrial containers into rain shelters and exhibition pavilions demonstrates how adaptive reuse can be incorporated into small public spaces.
Sheltered seatings are provided for visitors to appreciate the display of the installation <i>“Printing Kwun Tong”</i>, an art installation commemorating the faded packaging and printing industry which thrived in Kwun Tong back in the 1960s to 1980s.
Subtle design elements such as benches supported by coil springs, add innovation and historical relevance to the park, enhancing the identity of the space on the details.
Interactive display resembles a giant printer which “prints” the silhouette of the user standing in front of the installation with the CMYK colour model – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.
The flourishing nature’s shades of green colour contrasts with the art installation and the tightly packed buildings in the background, where the park offers the neighbourhood an escape from the urban jungle.
A basketball court was preserved during the transformation to offer venues for active activities.
The covered courtside seating allows visitors to watch the matches, or simply take a break and enjoy the moment. The raised platform and benches in wooden textures softens the edges and blend into the plantings harmoniously.
The artwork <i>“Message”</i> is another interactive art installation in InPark. Switches can be pushed to illuminate the dots on the map, forming new messages in words or symbols, encouraging users to express their own interpretation of Kwun Tong.
The bamboo planted along Landmark East creates a transition from the built environment to the neighbourhood’s green-lung.
The open lawn is asymmetrically sloping towards the shifted centre surrounded by sparse trees to leave room for leisure activities and let adequate sunlight penetrate through the tree canopies.
Tall trees fence off the distractions from the commercial buildings and enclose the central lawn.
Plantings in the background are at different height and shape, enriching the view from the central lawn. The artwork “Giant Robot” is placed at a reachable level, sharing the joyful moments with the visitors around as they lean against it to rest.
The name of this sculpture “Cam<sup>4</sup> Kau<sup>4</sup>”, is the Cantonese pronunciation of “sinking ball” (沉球), which is also the Cantonese pun for “in search of” (尋求). The sculpture symbolising fellowship and togetherness, imitates a deflated plastic ball with red and white stripes, which is inspired by the rigid plastic ball played by children in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s.
The elements of the sculpture “Cam<sup>4</sup> Kau<sup>4</sup>” form a circle which allows visitors to sit facing one another, encouraging communication and interaction in the community.
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