A Study on Woven Bamboo Cradle For Day Care Center Interior Design

Abstract

Woven Bamboo Cradle, called “Oou” or “Phlay” in Thai, is a bed for a newborn made out of Thai folk wisdom. It looks like a basket with a wider space and high edges to prevent a baby from falling. The cradle has two hanging handles to hang it above the ground as to protect the baby from reptiles, ants, and mites. Apart from delivering arts like other handicrafts, the woven bamboo cradle also displays Thai way of nurturing a child, an heir of a family. It shows how Thais cherish their children attentively as a Thai proverb saying “No creeping ants. No swarming mites.” referring to how one should look after a baby. Moreover, the cradle also presents another kind of arts, an art of lullabies. As a result of a fast-growing technology, Thai society has been affected in many ways. The styles of livings, relationships, and also baby nurturing style have been changed. Responsibilities, tough work, and hard study widen gaps between family members and could later cause problems. This study therefore focuses on finding answers for the following questions: 1. Would daycare center help reduce problems of no-time parenting? 2. By designing daycare center with woven bamboo cradle, would it help children to feel safer? 3. Would designing an interior space, activities, and environment of the daycare center help children to feel more like being taken care?