Outputs and resources will be added to this site as they are published or made available to the team.
Resources
The following resources are provided for your use. These include links to published reviews of the literature, example projects, etc. These are categorised according to resource type.
LITERATURE REVIEW
TITLE:
Design as a Rehabilitative Tool for People with Acquired Brain Injury: Mapping the Field
Abstract/Description
'People live their lives in an ongoing relationship with the physical environment. In the following review, a range of factors which may influence the design and construction as well as the occupation of an environmental setting for people with acquired brain injury (ABI), are described. During a person's rehabilitation, the environment may support his or her protection, while simultaneously promoting independence and learning. In a discussion regarding the design of built environments for people with ABI, medical, or allied health perspectives usually dominate. To design settings that support these objectives, the designer perspectives, be they interior, architectural, or landscape, must be identified. Typically, designers and architects do not adopt a linear approach to creating environments, but rather they integrate what Nigel Cross calls a designerly way of knowing. A designer-stance may broaden possibilities while supporting the appropriate models of care or philosophy of rehabilitation. The aim of this review is to map and summarize the breadth of current literature that involves or could inform the design of facilities for people with ABI. Such a review is necessary to consolidate what is known, in order to build upon it. The overall aim is to inform design professionals of the breadth of considerations when designing for people with ABI. In addition, it will inform managers, carers and allied health professionals of current understandings. Conceptualizations from different disciplinary perspectives of designing for rehabilitation of people with ABI are discussed.'
DOI: 10.1111/joid.12048
Journal of Interior Design, 2015, Vol.40(3), pp.21-38.
Authors: Smith D. & MacDonald J.
PUBLICATION
TITLE
Using Creative Practice to Re-conceptualize Provision of Services in Intractable Situations
Abstract/Description
This paper demonstrates how the process of design practice can be formulated into a model that can be used by a variety of disciplines to enable re-conceptualization of ongoing problems. Firstly the theory which underpins the creative process is reviewed. The theory is used to develop what the authors call the DEKS creative process action model. The DEKS Model was applied to a case study that involved government representatives and NGOs tackling complex recurring situations at macro and micro scales in the homeless sector. The case study demonstrates the effectiveness of the DEKS model in situations where the aim is to reframe thinking and re-conceptualize problems through alternative approaches, in order to better understand recurring issues. Keywords: Design Thinking, Creative Practice Process, Work Practice Re-conceptualization, DEKS Model
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The International Journal of Design in Society. Vol 8, No 3-4, 2015, pp.15-25. (Published Online: October 22, 2015)
DOI:10.18848/2325-1328/CGP/v08i3-4/38567
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Authors
Elizabeth Karol, Curtin University, Australia Dianne Smith, Curtin University, Australia
PUBLICATION
TITLE
An accommodation design matrix
to assist the provision of supportive accommodation for people with altered cognitive functioning,
Abstract/Description
Research in architecture, design, sociology and environmental psychology assists us to gain insights into the interdependency between occupants and their settings. Theorists are drawn upon to identify indicators of environments that may facilitate improved wellbeing. Following a description of the theoretical position, the current study’s
methodology is outlined. Drawing upon the client group of a local supported accommodation provider in Western
Australia, where the majority of clients have some form of cognitive impairment, key aspects of user conditions are combined with theoretical positions to inform an accommodation design matrix. Schizophrenia, depression and/or formal thought disorder were conditions experienced by the occupants of the homes examined by the researchers.
Accommodation can impact on occupants who have cognitive deficiencies or impairments. Home settings afford certain ways of perceiving, using and experiencing them, can
induce a sense-of-coherence, and foster a sense-of-wellbeing. The proposal is to integrate design directives for a particular cognitive impairment or difficulty with the indicators
of supportive environments for resident wellbeing to assist designers to enhance accommodation design.
Design for Health, (2019) 3:2, 261-282,
DOI: 10.1080/24735132.2019.1641398
Authors
Dianne Smith & Elizabeth Karol
PUBLICATION
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TITLE
Expanding design approaches to create supportive home environments for people with impeded cognitive functioning.
Abstract/Description
There is a growing field of research that indicates a significant relationship between the design of the environment and the mental health of people with impeded cognitive
functioning. The research suggests that if a physical environment is experienced as having a sense-of-coherence it is a resource to help reduce negative impacts and increase
supportive qualities for the resident so they can better cope under adversity. How can designers incorporate a sense-of-coherence in projects? This paper challenges some
aspects of common design practice when accommodation for people with impeded cognitive functioning is being created. Also, it expands on what is known about the person–
environment relationship to propose a design model that revolves around the idea that a sense-of-coherence has cognitive, behavioural, motivational and emotional
dimensions. The model is used to create a tool that can be used by designers. A pilot test of the tool is carried out using two examples of supported accommodation occupied by people with schizophrenia. The tool created provides a practical way of enhancing the design of the physical home environment. The paper suggests the future potential of the tool as well as some limitations
Design for Health, (2020) 4:1, 43-62,
DOI: 10.1080/24735132.2020.1732730 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/24735132.2020.1732730
Authors
Elizabeth Karol & Dianne Smith
REPORT
TITLE:
Roundtable Dialogue: Tracking the too Hard: Gaps and Solutions
Summary
The Curtin Research Group ‘Designing for the occupation of healthy, supportive environments and well-being’ developed and facilitated a dialogue with service providers for the homeless in Perth. This was undertaken in partnership with the City of Perth.
The primary objective of the Research Group was to demonstrate how a deep understanding of physical and social relationships together with design thinking and design processes could be utilized to assist service providers to better service their clients. The intended outcome was to assist those service providers to identify which issues were not being dealt with adequately, how the service providers could collectively address those issues and, most importantly, to prioritize a way forward.
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Curtin University 11 June 2013. Unpublished Final Report. Perth: Curtin University
Authors: Smith, D. & Karol, E.
REPORT
TITLE:
Housing for people with disabilities: Enabling and Inclusive Housing through design.
Research Report 2017.
Summary:
The recommendations outlined in this Research Report arose through the collaboration
of Rise Network Inc. and researchers from the School of Built Environment, Curtin
University. The resulting research generated a foundation of knowledge for designers,
service providers and developers to consider and apply when designing, constructing
and managing accommodation for people with impairments (cognitive and physical).
In particular, the need to attend to the more atmospheric, sensorial, emotional and
spiritual aspects of someone’s home has been highlighted. These aspects are often
unnoticed or not considered when providing accommodation for those with impaired
cognition or physical disabilities.
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Unpublished. 2017
Authors: Smith D. & Karol E.
PUBLICATION
TITLE
Improving Chances? A design strategy to improve health and wellbeing for marginalised people.
Abstract/Description
Background: There is a call for architects and designers to rethink what is meant by design for health. Therapeutic design in everyday settings is a growing area of concern
Aims: The authors aim to provide alternative ways of approaching the design of facilities or places that integrate the end-user as a collaborator in the evolution of design ideas in order to create places, which will support their wellbeing.
Methods: The research integrated a theoretical Model with creative practice as research before gaining insights from the end-users and provider of a case study, a day facility for people who are homeless.
Results: The results are twofold. Firstly a Socio-Ecological Design Model (SEDM) and secondly, insights into a designing supportive environments for people who are homeless as an example of a marginalised group.
Conclusion: It is possible to undertake a collaborative and informed process, which can act as a catalyst for positive change and challenge the current common processes to date.
Key Words: Wellbeing, socio-ecological design, therapeutic design
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PUBLICATION
TITLE
Impact of Design on Emotional, Psychological, or Social Well-Being for People With Cognitive Impairment
Abstract/Description
Aim: The objective of this article is to identify and analyze what is known about characteristics in and around the home that support well-being for those with cognitive impairment. This could provide direction for designers of homes in general, but specifically for designers trying to meet the needs of people with cognitive impairment. Background: It has been established that there is a relationship between psychological well-being and a person’s environment. Research also shows that particular design aspects can reduce the impact of cognitive impairment. However, there is limited design expertise in the Australian housing market to create supportive spaces which will help to reduce the impact of the disability for those with cognitive impairment. Method: A literature review was carried out to determine the extent and details of what is known about the relationship of home design and its impact on emotional, psychological, or social well-being for people with cognitive impairment.
Conclusions: The study indicates that researchers in various disciplines understand that pragmatic
design inputs such as thermal comfort and adequate lighting are important for people with cognitive impairment. In addition, some researchers have shown or surmise that there are other “intangible” designer-controlled elements that have beneficial impacts on people with cognitive impairment. Details of these intangible elements are sparse, and how much they might improve the quality of life for a person with cognitive impairment is not well understood. Further research is required to meet a growing need.
Keywords
interior design, cognitive impairment, well-being, home design, person–environment relationship,
architecture
Health Environments Research & Design Journal 2019, Vol. 12(3) 220-232.
DOI: 10.1177/1937586718813194
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Authors:
Karol E. and Smith D.
PUBLICATION
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TITLE
Expanding design approaches to create supportive home environments for people with impeded cognitive functioning.
Abstract/Description
Insights into the relationship between people with impeded cognitive functioning and the
built environment have arisen over the last few decades. This research builds on underlying research that looked at how the home environment could help people feel supported so they could better cope with everyday living and thus achieve an enhanced QoL. Such support goes beyond functional design related to activities of daily living and encompasses opportunities for comprehension, management, finding meaningfulness in, and providing emotional affordance in the home. This article reports on conversational interviews with people with schizophrenia discussing their experiences of home environments. Their responses provide a basis on which to generate a more nuanced understanding of the impact of accommodation on people with schizophrenia, challenge considerations previously identified and highlight the need for further research. Considerations include the importance of the home’s proximity to places for potential relaxation, the need for security of housing tenure rather than short-term crisis housing, awareness of the support required for occupants to maintain outdoor
areas and enabling occupants to pursue personal interests in the home. The findings will inform the development of accommodation design considerations that focus on improving quality of life for people with schizophrenia. In this way, the findings will contribute to enabling this neurodiverse group to remain independent, empowered and functioning members of the community—leading to greater social sustainability. Keywords: design; architecture; accommodation; schizophrenia; neurodiverse
Sustainability 2021, 13,
7733. https://doi.org/10.3390/
su13147733
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Authors
Elizabeth Karol & Dianne Smith
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