In the triangular park on the streets of Changping District, Beijing, we deconstructed the design of the first domestically produced bus in New China and incorporated new functional elements, transforming it into a fun activity installation that children of all ages and their parents can enjoy.
— Old Beijing Bus: The Public Child Space with a Bus Theme on the Streets of Changping

01 Bus Memories
The BK640 was China’s first domestically manufactured bus, born in 1957. Covering 80% of Beijing’s bus routes between 1959 and 1989, it is considered the pioneer of China’s bus industry.
The design deconstructs the BK640 model, integrating new functional elements to create a fun activity installation for children of all ages and their parents. This installation, inspired by the BK640 old-style bus, is set to be unveiled in May 2024 in Beijing's Changping Triangle Park.

02 Design Origin
Triangle Park, located at the west entrance of Changping District Government, is the western gateway to Changping city. It was once the starting point for the only bus route, 345, from Changping to downtown Beijing.
It is located at a prominent junction where the northwestern main road of Beijing, formed since the Warring States period, enters Changping city. In 1984, Xiguan Garden was established here, featuring a lotus pond, a viewing pavilion, and a children's playground, which became a beloved play area for many Changping residents. However, over the past 40 years, issues such as outdated and aging facilities and limited functionality have become increasingly evident. Therefore, as part of the overall renovation of Changping Government Street, the Changping District Government initiated the Triangle Park renovation project in 2003.
The School of Landscape Architecture at Beijing Forestry University and Cai Linghao Studio are responsible for the landscape planning and design of Triangle Park. The design uses modern abstract lines to represent the mountainous terrain of Changping and winding streams to reflect the waters that once nourished Beijing and the Grand Canal. The 345 bus serves as the narrative thread of urban memory, blending historical and cultural elements with modern design aesthetics. Key features include the Changping Fountain Square, Leisure Ring, Fitness Corridor, Walking Path, a bus-themed children's area, bus shelters representing different historical stages, winding water features, and the "Changping Gate" sculpture engraved with historical place names, creating a seamless integration of the park with urban space.
XISUI Design was invited by the main design team to participate in the design and detailed development of the children's area. The new children’s playground is also located on the original site of the 1984 Xiguan Garden playground.

03 Functional Zones
The area is divided into two zones, the front and the rear, by a pathway connecting to the external pedestrian sidewalk.
The front zone is geared towards younger children, including activities like upper and lower limb strength training (climbing), speed and gravity experiences (small slide, bus handle rotation, steering wheel turntable), balance exercise (stepping stones), parent-child interaction (pin art wall, speaking tube), self-expression and creation (sandbox, blackboard), role-playing (steering wheel, driver's seat), and parental supervision (bus-style seats, simple exercise equipment).
The rear zone caters to all ages with an emphasis on thrilling experiences and parental participation, including upper and lower limb strength training (climbing ladders, ropes), speed and gravity experiences (dual slide, trampoline, dual swing chair, rocking chair), parent-child interaction (speaking tube, dual swing chair, seesaw), cognitive games (flip wall), and ground games (hopscotch).

04 Safety Measures
The children's area is close to the street, so safety is the top priority. There is only one opening facing the sidewalk, allowing public access while making it easy for parents to supervise. The design around the entrance avoids dense children's facilities, primarily serving as a transition between the front and rear zones, with tree pool seats and simple exercise equipment for parents to rest and supervise, acting as guardians.

05 Street View
The street-facing façade integrates with the surrounding residential environment and meets public aesthetic needs, becoming a bright spot on the street. The design height is controlled below the canopy layer of the trees, ensuring it blends into the natural greenery. The color scheme is inspired by the red and white of the BK640 bus, symbolizing a warm and vibrant space that resonates with the steamy atmosphere of the bun shop across the street and the bicycle bells of passersby.

06 Historical Imprint
The bus stop across the street, operating day and night, contrasts with the historical background of the site as the old Changping bus terminal and the starting point of the Changping line. Today’s bus passengers, waiting and boarding on this side of the street, can imagine how their parents' generation waited and boarded buses on the other side decades ago, during the transformative era of New China and Old Beijing.

07 Public Attributes
For open spaces accessible to the public, careful consideration is given to materials, durability, cost-effectiveness, and maintainability. The main installation uses galvanized steel with fluorocarbon paint for protection. Bamboo wood, known for its natural, eco-friendly, and durable properties, is used for family-friendly materials. Within the narrative scope of the design work, elements of surprise, fun, and participation are used to convey local historical memories.

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