Xinhua Toy Exchange House is a space transformed from an unused small dark room in Lane 345, Xinhua Road. We hope that children in the community can bring unused toys from home and exchange them in the toy house, so that unused toys can flow, realize the recycling of resources, and connect children, families and communities with toys.

This house was originally an installation of the 2021 Shanghai Urban Space Art Season and was exhibited in the Shanghai New Institute. After the event, it was moved to Lane 345, Xinhua Road, and has been unused for long time.

1. The original materials or recycled materials of the site. For example, one of the newly installed seats is to repair and move a damaged outdoor seat on the site. The original worn-out outdoor floor can be reused as an indoor shelf after being repaired and painted. The outdoor wooden stakes are cut from a tree that collapsed on Xinhua Road. On the one hand, these can reduce costs, and on the other hand, they have made certain contributions to the recycling of materials and the reduction of carbon emissions.
2. Considering that the use function of this house is likely to change in the future, all additional designs are considered to minimize the damage to the original structure, facade, and interior materials. All installations are carried out in a detachable and restorable way, which reserves more possibilities for the sustainable use of this house.
3. In combination with the operation of the toy house, we hope to develop more forms of toy utilization and transformation. For example, transforming old toys into cultural and creative products, or using waste materials to make various homemade toys, etc. These transformed products can better promote the concept of sustainability, encourage everyone to exchange and transform instead of buying, and make their own contributions to reducing resource waste and carbon emissions.

Children's Store Manager

The transformed community toy exchange house is operated daily by the children's store manager and parents. Children and parents in the community participate together to make suggestions and maintain the daily operation and promotion of the toy house.