Universal design, inclusion and wellbeing in healthcare settings

Inclusive design is not aspirational, it is fundamental. This webinar will explore the question: How can universal design support inclusion and improve wellbeing in healthcare settings?

We need to engage meaningfully with the community and develop design responses that will create access and safe spaces for everyone. The places we create should reflect and include the voices of many different people and this is particularly true for essential services such as healthcare. Extensive research confirms the benefits of well-designed places, and the positive impact of design on our lives. The connection between design and neuroscience, health, wellbeing, and human behaviour is evident, and it is important that this evidence-base informs decision making about the shape, nature and function of our cities, buildings, and landscapes. Hassell’s research, ‘Equal access is not an optional extra’, reports that to create a truly inclusive environment, designers should stretch beyond regulatory compliance and consider comfort and wellness, all abilities and gender, and understand local context, traditions and heritage and develop genuine relationships with stakeholders to ultimately create Places People Love.

Speakers

Leanne Guy, Hassell, Principal and Health Sector Lead

Leanne is Hassell’s global health sector leader. With a background in both nursing and design and more than 20 years working on healthcare projects in Australia and the UK, her experience has enabled her to develop an in-depth understanding of human behaviour and the need for a holistic design response and creating environments for health and wellbeing.

Continuing Professional Development

This event provides opportunities for CPD points for Architects, Project Managers and Engineers. For more information go to www.aushdc.org.au/cpd. Relevant NSCA Units for this event (Architects Only):

• PC 18 Be able to apply creative imagination, design precedents, research, emergent knowledge and critical evaluation in formulating and refining concept design options, including the exploration of three dimensional form and spatial quality.
• PC 29 Be able to develop and evaluate design options in terms of the heritage, cultural and community values embodied in the site, and in relation to project requirements.
• PC 30 Be able to explore options for siting a project, including integrating information and analysis of relevant cultural, social and economic factors.
• PC 36 Be able to apply creative imagination, design precedents, emergent knowledge, critical evaluation and continued engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to produce a coherent project design. This should be resolved in terms of supporting health and wellbeing outcomes for Country, site planning, formal composition, spatial planning and circulation as appropriate to the project brief and all other factors affecting the project.