In Sanjiaodi Park, located on the streets of Changping District, Beijing, XISUI Design deconstructed the design of China’s first domestically manufactured bus and integrated 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 Children's Space with a Bus Theme on the Streets of Changping.

Sanjiaodi Park, located at the western entrance of Government Street in Changping, was once the terminus of Bus Route 345, the only bus line connecting Changping to urban Beijing. In response to aging facilities, the Changping District Government initiated a renovation project. XISUI Design​ participated in the design and development of the park's children's area.

The installation draws inspiration from the BK640, the first domestically manufactured bus in China, which served a high proportion of Beijing's routes and was notably the model used on the crucial Bus Route 345 connecting Changping to downtown Beijing. The design deconstructs the classic BK640 form, integrating new functional elements to create a recreational space for children of various ages and their parents.

Bus memories

BK640 was the first domestically manufactured bus in China, created in 1957. Over the following three decades (1959-1989), it operated on 80% of Beijing’s bus routes and became the pioneering model of China's passenger bus industry.

The 345 Bus route, which utilized the BK640 model, was the only bus route connecting Changping to downtown Beijing for a long time. By deconstructing and redesigning the classic BK640 bus shape and incorporating new functional designs, it was transformed into an engaging activity installation that children of all ages and their parents can enjoy. This fun, bus-themed installation, inspired by the old-style bus model BK640, was installed in the newly redesigned Sanjiaodi Park in Changping District, Beijing, in May 2024.

Design origin

Sanjiaodi Park served as the western gateway to the urban area of Changping. It used to be the starting point of Bus Route 345, the only bus route connecting Changping to downtown Beijing, and holds collective memories of many Changping residents, thereby acquiring significant historical and geographical importance. Additionally, it is a key junction where the northwest trunk road, formed since the Warring States period, branches into the urban area of Changping, making it a prominent location.

In 1984, Xiguan Garden was established here, featuring a lotus pond, a viewing pavilion, and a children’s playground, which was a popular place for many Changping residents to play during their childhood. However, after nearly 40 years of use, problems such as outdated facilities, aging infrastructure, and limited functionality gradually emerged. Therefore, as part of the overall renovation project for Government Street, the Changping District Government launched the Sanjiaodi Park renovation project in 2023.

The landscape planning and design of Sanjiaodi Park was carried out by the Cai Linghao Studio of Landscape Architecture College of Beijing Forestry University. The design uses modern abstract zigzag lines to represent the mountainous terrain of Changping, and winding streams to reflect the waters of Changping that once nourished Beijing and the Grand Canal. The 345 Bus is chosen as the narrative thread of the city’s memory, blending the expression of historical and cultural significance with visual presentation of modern design aesthetics. New functional areas were included within the design, such as the Changping Spring Fountain Plaza, Lehuo Leisure Loop, Fitness Corridor, Strolling Path, Bus-themed Children’s Area, “bus stops” representing different historical periods, a winding creek water feature, and the "Changping Gate" sculpture engraved with historical place names in Changping, creating a seamless integration of the park and urban space.

In this renovation, XISUI Design was tasked with designing the children's area of the park. The new children’s playground is situated on the original site of the 1984 Xiguan Garden playground.

Functional zoning

The venue is divided into two functional activity areas—the front and rear of the simulated bus, separated by a pathway that connects to the external pedestrian sidewalk.

• The front area is designed for younger children. It includes facilities for upper and lower limb strength training (such as climbing facilities), speed and gravity experiences (small slide, gear shifter, steering wheel turntable), balance exercises (plum blossom stakes), parent-child interactions (pin art interactive walls, voice tubes), self-expression and creativity (sandboxes, blackboards), role-playing activities (steering wheel, driver's seat), and parental supervision (bus-style seats, simple exercise equipment), etc.
• The rear area is aimed at all ages, focusing on thrilling experiences and encouraging parent-child participation. Facilities include upper and lower limb strength training (ladders, climbing ropes), speed and gravity experiences (double slide, trampoline, double swing, rocking chairs), parent-child interaction (voice tubes, double swing, seesaw), cognitive games (flip wall), and ground games (hopscotch), etc.
  

Safety measures

Considering that the children's area is close to the street, safety is the top priority. On the side facing the road's sidewalk, there is only one opening designed, allowing public access while making it easy for parents to supervise. The entrance area near the opening avoids clustering children's facilities and serves primarily as a transition space between the front and rear areas. Tree pool benches and simple exercise equipment, such as stretching areas and pull-up bars, are arranged, providing a place for parents to rest, relax, and supervise their children, taking on the role of guardian.

Streetscape view

Next comes the treatment of the street-facing facade, which should blend into the surrounding living area and satisfy the aesthetic demands of the public, becoming a bright spot along the street. The height of the activity facilities is controlled to be below the tree canopy, subtly merging with the natural greenery. The colors are inspired by the red-and-white scheme of the vintage BK640 bus, with the fiery red hue conveying a passionate spatial atmosphere that resonates with the steam rising from the bun shop across the street and the ringing bicycle bells of passing elderly residents.

Historical imprints

In particular, the bus station across the street, operating day and night, creates a historical dialogue across time with the site, which was the original location of the old Changping Bus Terminal and the starting point of the Changping Line. Today, as people wait daily on the other side of the street to board a bus, do they ever imagine the scene decades ago, when their parents' generation, in the prime of their youth, waited and boarded buses on this side of the street, during the era of China's rise and the dramatic changes in Beijing?

Public attributes

When designing open spaces for the public, careful consideration is given to materials, durability, cost-effectiveness, and maintainability. The main installation uses galvanized steel as the primary material, with fluorocarbon paint for protection. For user-friendly materials, outdoor carbonized bamboo wood was selected to ensure naturalness, eco-friendliness, and durability. At the same time, within the scope of the design’s narrative, the work conveys local historical memories through elements of surprise, fun, and engagement.