Color Craze Whare Pukapuka mō te Kura Tuatahi by Cosmo Chuah

Color Craze Whare Pukapuka mō te Kura Tuatahi by Cosmo Chuah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Roto Whare me te Whakaaturanga Competition Category.

ParahiRoto Whare· 2026

Color Craze Whare Pukapuka mō te Kura Tuatahi

by Cosmo Chuah

Client: Lab Two Design

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Roto Whare Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #173780

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Color Craze Whare Pukapuka mō te Kura Tuatahi

Ko Color Craze he hoahoanga o roto mō tētahi whare pukapuka kura tuatahi. Ka whakahoutia e te hoahoa tētahi whare pukapuka tawhito, ā, e 1,600 putu pūrua tōna rahi. Ko ngā pae pukapuka āhua rerekē, ko ngā retireti kua hangaia ki roto, ko ngā wāhi kaupapa tae, me ngā pakitara pāhekoheko e whakaahua ana i te wāhi. Ka tiki pukapuka ngā ākonga mā ngā retireti, ā, ka tuhi hoki rātou ki ngā pakitara graffiti. Ko ngā rohe kua waitohua ā-tae e tohu ana i te wairua me te mahi, ā, ko te whakamarama haere tonu me ngā āhua rerekē e ārahi ana i te nekehanga. I whakamaheretia te hoahoa mā ngā taputapu hoahoa ā-rorohiko me te mātai hinengaro tae, ā, e whai ana ngā taonga whare me ngā rama i ngā mātāpono ergonomic. Ko te whāinga kia piki ake te hiahia ki te pānui.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Color Craze Whare Pukapuka mō te Kura Tuatahi te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Color Craze Whare Pukapuka mō te Kura Tuatahi he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Color Craze Whare Pukapuka mō te Kura Tuatahi i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This is a renovation plan for an old library that turns a static reading space into an immersive, engaging environment. Its unique features include irregular bookshelves, built-in slides, color-themed areas, and interactive walls, offering students a playful, flexible, and user-centered reading experience.
Dimensions & Packaging: 1,600 square feet
Tags: Colorful library design, student-centered space, educational renovation, interactive reading environment, irregular furniture, ambient lighting, creative bookshelf design, school interior upgrade, playful learning space, youth reading engagement
Production Technology: We applied participatory design methods—observing student behavior, surveying preferences, and simulating furniture use. Spatial layout was optimized with CAD tools and color psychology theory, while ergonomic principles were applied to the furniture and lighting design for comfort and usability.
Design Challenge: The main challenges were balancing fun with function and adapting non-traditional furniture forms to building safety codes. Space constraints and fixed structural elements required inventive layout solutions. Sourcing safe, durable materials in bright colors was another hurdle. We overcame these through close coordination with engineers and iterative prototyping.
Research: We conducted behavioral observation and surveys targeting students aged 7–12. The objective was to understand spatial and emotional barriers to reading. Data was collected through interviews, usage logs, and mood mapping. Results showed a clear link between colorful, playful environments and increased time spent reading. The research informed our design, leading to a space that promotes learning and social interaction.
Inspiration: We were inspired by the low reading engagement among students. The outdated and dull library environment failed to spark curiosity. Our motivation was to create a space that feels vibrant and playful—one that stimulates interest in reading through color, creativity, and interaction.
Project Duration: The project started in October 2023 at SRJK(C) Chung Hwa 3 in Penang, Malaysia. From initial design to construction and implementation, the entire renovation was completed by March 2024, when the new library officially opened.
Operation Flow: The library allows for flexible interaction: students retrieve books using slides, write or draw on graffiti walls, and gather in color-coded zones that signal mood and function. Seamless lighting and irregular forms support intuitive movement and help users feel immersed, engaged, and welcome.