Kwe: wooden toy

2020

Kwe, is a playful take on the Asian traditional pastry - Kueh. The set of 24 wooden blocks is perfect for children aged 1-3 years old, as they explore and imagine through simple actions like stacking and building.

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Each of the 8 distinctively different blocks in Kwe is stylistically inspired by types of popular Kueh originating from the Malay, Nyonya and Chinese culture. Unique characteristics of each Kueh was extracted and explored, for a form language that is distinct yet cohesive as a whole.

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Form Exploration with Clay

Form Exploration with Foam

Laser Cutting Plywood for Kueh Lapis Sagu

Dying Plywood for Kueh Lapis Sagu

Assembling Kueh Lapis Sagu, routering

3D Printing Prototyping

Affordance of interaction between each block can be discovered through exploration during play, to create endless configurations and act as food for a child’s imagination.

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As it triggers fond memories for those familiar with Kueh, Kwe become a powerful tool to tell stories of our vibrant heritage, and the past. Through play, children can now have the chance to forge unique relationships with these big players of Singapore’s food heritage to keep its legacy going.

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Designed under the guidance of Prof. Christophe Gaubert and Poh Yunru,

National University of Singapore, Division of Industrial Design