Socio spatial analysis of the design and lived experiences of residential aged care models: A qualitative study of traditional and small household typologies. (Undertaken while at UNDA)

Wadawurrung & Dja Dja Country, Bunurong & Wadawurrung Country, Whadjuk Noongar Country

Project Type: Applied Research

Collaborators: Prof Sarah McGann - Deakin University and Prof Caroline Bulsara - The University of Notre Dame Australia.

Project Partners: The University of Notre Dame Australia, Deakin University, Mercy Aged and Community Care.

 Industry-linked, interdisciplinary project that evaluated the connection between the design of different residential aged care spatial models, the residents’ ability to ‘find home’ and Quality of Life (QoL) themes. The project addresses the gap in contemporary socio-spatial, lived experience research and the implications of different building typologies on resident QoL and their ability to ‘find home.’ The project outcome provides practical insights into how buildings might be improved to enhance QoL through key spatial strategies developed within future building design briefs.

Summary of Key Findings

Academic Journal Article

‘Not Designed for Us’: A Visual Exploration of Spatial Use in Remote Aboriginal Domiciliary Environments 

Wangi Country, Laverton, WA 

Project Type: Participatory Research

This research project explored cultural expression through sociocultural spatial use patterns within remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. Through this project a novel visual co-design method, The House Game was developed. The House Game is a method that allows members of Aboriginal communities to collaborate with the architect to visually map sociocultural spatial use in the context of both existing Euro-Australian housing typologies and in the collaborators’ ideal house. 

Finding Country, Finding Home: Sociocultural spatial analysis of the design and lived experience of Aboriginal residential aged care.

Yawuru Country, Broome, WA

Project type: Participatory Research

Collaborators: Anna Dwyer

Partners: UNDA, NBY, Southern Cross Care

An industry-linked, interdisciplinary project that explores the connection between the building, how residents are expressing their identities and re-establishing ‘home’, and maintaining connections to the Country.

Research findings will be published soon…