Exhibition Space | Scale Model
Community garden awareness space for exhibitions & workshops
Context
This project was developed with the local government as a design intervention in an open-city community garden, chosen because children from low-income families and those of sex workers already felt safe and welcome there.
Challenge
How can design offer a safe, neutral space for children who are excluded elsewhere?
How can the environment reduce feelings of exposure and stigma, while enabling dialogue and awareness-building?
How can a scale model communicate accessibility, flow, and interaction to both the community and stakeholders?
Research conducted directly with these communities revealed that:
Children were not welcomed in many “fancier” gardens or schools, leaving them without inclusive spaces.
Existing awareness workshops were often held in open public areas, where participants felt exposed and uncomfortable.
There was no dedicated, trusted space for after-school activities and learning.
This project aimed to respond to those gaps by creating a welcoming exhibition and workshop space designed around
their comfort and dignity.
Approach
Ground Research: Insights came directly from conversations with children and families, centering their lived experience.
Community-Centered Site Choice: The community garden was selected as it was a space they already trusted.
Design Intent: To transform this garden into a learning and awareness hub—balancing exhibitions with interactive workshops.
Model-Making: Created a scale model focusing on layout, proportions, and circulation, allowing stakeholders and community members to visualize how the space could function.
Design Features
Exhibition Panels: For awareness campaigns and storytelling, positioned to feel enclosed yet open.
Workshop Zones: Smaller, flexible seating areas for after-school activities and discussions.
Integration with Nature: Leveraged greenery to create a more intimate, less formal environment.
Privacy & Comfort: Designed to shield participants from feeling “on display” in public view.
My Role
On-ground research with community members
Site/context analysis and concept framing
Spatial layout design
Scale model-making (detailing, prototyping, presentation)
Impact
Offered children a safe and welcoming alternative to spaces they were excluded from.
Provided a dedicated environment for after-school learning, play, and awareness workshops.
Addressed discomfort with public exposure by creating a more private, human-scaled layout.
The scale model became a tool for refining design and engaging community feedback.
