DesignInc Melbourne’s Post

The 2024 Housing Oregon Conference, Oregon’s annual networking and education event for housing professionals across the state, brought together over 1,000 participants and offered 60 workshops. Scott Edwards Architecture's Principal Hayley Purdy and Senior Associate Eugenia Fama-Higgins presented “The Value of a Post-Occupancy Survey in Affordable Housing,” a key component of bringing community engagement full circle in a responsive design process. Read more about their presentation on our blog, linked below. 📰: https://ow.ly/l2r450UlbzB #MultiFamilyArchitecture #MultiFamilyDesign #AffordableHousing #ArchitectureBlog

International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that if we want everyone to participate in public life, we must design and build an #inclusive public realm that is accessible to all. Public life can’t just be available to the abled, young, or healthy. Everyone navigates the #builtenvironment differently, with abilities changing across a person's lifespan. Thoughtful design can integrate #accessibility without compromising beauty, functionality, or innovation in landscape architecture. Learn more from the American Society of Landscape Architects at https://buff.ly/31QsC36 #InclusiveLandscape #LandscapeArchitecture #EnvironmentalDesign #IDPWD

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION IN PARTICIPATORY URBAN DESIGN The importance of youth involvement in Urban design cannot be overemphasized highlighting how the voices of the youth should lead the way in shaping city spaces. It presents participatory urban design a dynamic approach that promotes creativity and innovation among youths turning them into catalysts for change. By engaging in this process, young ones do not only influence the physical environment but also promote inclusiveness and collaboration within their surroundings. It also illustrates how cities can become vibrant canvasses through youth-led projects, such as murals and public art, which enhance identity and celebrate diversity. Ultimately, empowering the next generation in urban design nurtures civic responsibility and critical thinking, contributing to sustainable societies that reflect their aspirations. IFASA OAU #worldarchitectureday #youthempowerment #urbandesigns #learning #designthinking #innovation #personaldevelopment

Creating a "sense of place" in urban development involves integrating elements that contribute to the identity, experience, and well-being of the community. This approach aligns with human-centric principles that investors & developers can leverage for sustainable growth. Tactics: Employ varied architectural styles that reflect the local culture and history, avoiding a generic look that can diminish a sense of place. Focus on designs that prioritize human experience, such as smaller building footprints, varied heights, and inviting façades that encourage exploration.

Today, we pause to honour the children who never came home, the Survivors, and their families. National Truth and Reconciliation Day is an opportunity for us to reflect on the legacy of residential schools and engage with Indigenous history and culture as part of the ongoing journey of reconciliation. As architects, we recognize the need to decolonize our practice. Architecture has historically been used as a tool of colonial power, from residential schools to institutional buildings that marginalized Indigenous peoples. Today, we have the opportunity to transform our work into a tool for healing and empowerment. Our partnership with Smoke Architecture Inc. on the Makwa Waakaa’igan Indigenous Centre of Cultural Excellence at Algoma University is an example of this. Once a residential school, Shingwauk Hall is now being reimagined as a place for healing, dialogue, and cultural preservation, led by the vision of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association. Decolonizing design starts with listening. It means working alongside Indigenous communities to ensure that their knowledge, culture, and values shape the spaces we create. This is not just about addressing the past but building a future where architecture supports cultural identity and well-being. We encourage reflection today, and every day, as we strive toward a more just and inclusive future.

I'm thrilled to share the focus of my architectural thesis: tackling homelessness in Massachusetts through thoughtful, sustainable, and inclusive design solutions. This project goes beyond the immediate needs of shelter by exploring how shared spaces and accessible services can foster community, dignity, and empowerment. Massachusetts’ commitment to progressive values, environmental sustainability, and social justice has been a major inspiration in shaping my work. Some key aspects of my thesis: - Adaptability & Scalability: Creating models that can be replicated across diverse regions and demographics. - Community-Centered Design: Respecting the cultural histories and needs of Massachusetts’ diverse population. - Technological Innovation: Leveraging sustainable materials, energy-efficient systems, and modular construction to streamline processes and ensure flexibility. - Comprehensive Research: Combining insights from architecture, urban planning, and social services to identify best practices and emerging trends. This thesis isn’t just about solving a local problem—it’s about creating a framework for future developments that can address homelessness with dignity, inclusivity, and sustainability at their core. I look forward to sharing my journey and engaging with others who are passionate about creating meaningful change through design. Let's reimagine spaces that empower communities and foster hope. #ArchitecturalDesign #HomelessnessSolutions #SustainableDesign #Inclusivity #SocialImpact #ThesisWork

Quality input = quality output 👏👏👏

"We, as architects and designers, have the power to influence the public experience of the built environment. As professionals licensed by our jurisdictions with the aim of maintaining health, safety, and welfare, it is our duty to create spaces that everyone can access and enjoy." shares Jennifer C. Schmidt in her article featured in The Inclusive Design Issue of Design Museum Magazine. Read the full article: https://loom.ly/lfP1mp4 #InclusiveDesign

How can a universal design perspective contribute to a discussion on residential accommodation and human rights? From schools to residential care facilities, buildings serve as reflections of prevailing norms and understandings. This book chapter by Anne Kathrine Frandsen and Inge Storgaard Bonfils compares the types of institutions and residential facilities that have been built for people with disabilities in the past and that are being built now. They highlight the interplay between views of humanity, social policy and architecture from the perspective of universal design. Anne Kathrine and Inge are editors of the anthology “Universal design: Cross-disciplinary perspectives in theory and practice”, which you can read here: https://lnkd.in/d5CNHzvS #UniversalDesign

We are thrilled to announce that our University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning FIBER Design Dynamics Lab has been awarded a Design Interventions grant from the LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD. Foundation https://lnkd.in/gQdFpfqJ to develop the Sustainable & Supportive Housing for Salutogenic Health (S3) framework. This innovative project aims to work with our Jacksonville-based Repair and Restore for Resilience partners to transform residential design in Jacksonville's historic urban core, focusing on enhancing community well-being through regenerative housing solutions. The team will co-design web-based resources that empower community stakeholders and policymakers to make informed decisions, ultimately improving resident well-being through thoughtful housing design and neighborhood revitalization strategies. #SustainableDesign #CommunityWellbeing #JacksonvilleFL