Uni of Newcastle are washing children well
The University of Newcastle architecture faculty asked HH for a tough design problem. Design Co-ordinator, John Roberts, wanted to expose students to the real world complexities of improving the health of people and picked the highest priority Healthy Living Practice “washing people – particularly children” as the place to start.
A workshop and lecture set the scene and then a short, sharp design program – well scripted by John and supported by tutors – produced some extraordinary results from a second year group.
In contrast to the so called ‘professional response’ currently rolling out nationally, where millions of dollars are missing these critical design targets, the University of Newcastle’s architecture students have in a few weeks:
– grappled with the complexities of the apparently simple design task of washing a young child
– reviewed data about washing kids presented in the National Indigenous Housing Guide and used that to focus their design work
– consulted parents and children about ways to wash, dangers, heights and sizes
– and produced drawings models and mockups of design ideas.
HH thanks John Roberts, all the dedicated tutors, the great effort and enthusiasm of the students involved and the Faculty for having the courage to take on what we think is a big design issue. Are there any government departments or larger architectural offices willing to review the results and encourage more of the same work???
Have a look at some of the results here
