CREATING SUCCESSFUL & SUSTAINABLE SOCIETIES
Design and Neurology – artistic development and research
Kristina Sahlqvist Architect SIR/MSA, Visiting professor, HDK School of Design and Crafts, University of Gothenburg, Pamela Lindgren Designer MFA and Michael Nilsson Professor, the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg
“How can knowledge from basic research about effects of enriched environments on the healing of the brain lead to improved rehabilitation environments through explorative design methodology?”
The project is a scientific study using an experimental concept of enriched environments. It is a research and artistic development in collaboration between HDK, School of Design and Crafts, Gothenburg University with Kristina Sahlqvist, Architect SIR/MSA and Pamela Lindgren, Designer MFA and the Sahlgrenska University Hospital with Michael Nilsson, Professor and Director of Research at Sahlgrenska. The project was initiated by the hospital's Department of Rehabilitation, Neuroscience who stipulated that enriched environment presented in different contexts has a significant impact on the patients rehabilitation. The project concept has been designed in collaboration with architects and designers and the brain scientists and health professionals at the department 623, Högsbo. The unique interdisciplinary body of research and its conclusions reveals the impact that the hospital environment has on the recovery and improved sense of wellbeing. The purpose of this project has been to propose and indicate how future rehabilitation with environments, products and tools can be embodied in an artistic and sustainable development. We have therefore worked with the method of “Considerate Design ” (www.designmedomtanke.se) in a social, ecological and economic dimension of sustainable development and with a concept of redesign and new experimental ideas. At present, the collaborative study has resulted in a concept with a design and architectural plan for the Rehabilitation Department 623 at Sahlgrenska.
In the artistic part of the study we have produced a report and the design of seven products and furniture for wellbeing and participation. The full scale result is a sustainable study with two chairs which have been redesigned to create rocking chairs which incorporate heating pads in smart textiles and storage for canes and walking aids. A third chair features two wheels to aid short-distance movement. There is also a soft-edged table for interaction, a brace of smart textiles which include controls for the alarm, music volume, mp3 players and a hood.
Keywords: Sustainable development, design, neurology, enriched environment,collaboration.