Color Craze Umtapo Wezincwadi Wesikole Samabanga Aphansi by Cosmo Chuah

Color Craze Umtapo Wezincwadi Wesikole Samabanga Aphansi by Cosmo Chuah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ingaphakathi Competition Category.

IbhulonziIngaphakathi· 2026

Color Craze Umtapo Wezincwadi Wesikole Samabanga Aphansi

by Cosmo Chuah

Client: Lab Two Design

Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award Winner in Ingaphakathi Category

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Colors

The Design

About Color Craze Umtapo Wezincwadi Wesikole Samabanga Aphansi

I-Color Craze ingaphakathi lomtapo wezincwadi wesikole samabanga aphansi. Lo mklamo uvuselela umtapo wezincwadi omdala futhi uhlanganisa amafithi-skwele angu-1,600. Amashalofu ezincwadi angajwayelekile, izitshibiliki ezakhelwe ngaphakathi, izindawo ezinamathimu emibala kanye nezindonga ezisebenzisanayo kubumba lesi sikhala. Abafundi bathatha izincwadi besebenzisa izitshibiliki futhi badweba ezindongeni ze-graffiti. Izindawo ezihlukaniswe ngemibala zibonisa umoya nomsebenzi wendawo, kanti ukukhanyiswa okuqhubekayo nezimo ezingajwayelekile kuqondisa ukunyakaza. Uhlelo lwendawo lwahlelwa ngamathuluzi okuklama asizwa yikhompyutha kanye nesayikholoji yemibala, futhi ifenisha nokukhanyiswa kulandela imigomo ye-ergonomics. Inhloso ukukhulisa intshisekelo yokufunda izincwadi.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award

Color Craze Umtapo Wezincwadi Wesikole Samabanga Aphansi iwinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile kakhulu okunikezwa imiklamo ephawulekayo eyehlukaniswa ukudala, ubuhlakani nobukhali bengqondo. Abawinile beBhulonzi yimisebenzi enobuchule obukhulu nedala ngokumangalisayo eqinisekisa isipiliyoni esibanzi, umcabango nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Color Craze Umtapo Wezincwadi Wesikole Samabanga Aphansi ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo, enobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu ebuciko, esayensi, ekuklameni nasebuchwepheshe futhi uhamba phambili ngenxa yokunaka kwawo imininingwane. Color Craze Umtapo Wezincwadi Wesikole Samabanga Aphansi iyanelisa izidingo ngokumangalisayo, ithinta izifiso, iheha imizwa futhi ikhanga ukufuna ukwazi.

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.