HKS at EDRA55: Award-winning Design Research for Health and Well-being
The 55th annual conference of the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) will convene June 19-22 in Portland, Oregon. The theme of EDRA55 is Human-centric Environments: Promoting Design That Sustains Human Prosperity, Well-being and the Global Environment at All Scales.
During the conference, EDRA will award a Certificate of Research Excellence (CORE) to HKS, the Center for Advanced Design Research and Evaluation (CADRE) and MillerKnoll for the study, Blueprint for Mitigating Nurse Burnout: A Social Listening Perspective.
A cross-disciplinary panel of reviewers comprising academic researchers, practice-based researchers, designers and industry thought leaders selected the HKS, CADRE and MillerKnoll research coalition for this honor. EDRA’s CORE evaluation framework is meant to identify rigorous, practice-based environmental design research that meets industry challenges, pushes the boundaries of practice, recognizes the importance of research in practice and builds on EDRA’s tradition of inquiry, reflection and collaboration.
In addition, several HKS researchers will be presenting at the conference. If you are attending EDRA55, please join HKS at the following speaking engagements:
Presentations
Bad Design Kills: How Architecture Schools Propagate Design for Human Harm
Wednesday, June 19, 11:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PDT
Forum (third, Hilton Portland Downtown)
Presenting author: Erin Peavey, HKS Health & Well-being Design Leader, Community
This session will suggest concrete changes that can make way for a future that embraces the role of architecture as interconnected with human health and well-being. This includes changes to National Architecture Accreditation Board educational requirements, a transformation in how architecture is viewed by the public and a code of ethics that is inherent in everyday practice.
POEs & Design – Schools That Integrate Design Research
Thursday, June 20, 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. PDT
Galleria I (Ballroom Level, Hilton Portland Downtown)
Presenting author: Renae Mantooth, PhD, HKS Research Lead, Education
This presentation will share in-progress findings from a pre-post mixed methods study investigating the design of a new Pre-K-12 Campus in North Texas. The goal of the research is to investigate the impact the design does or does not have on end users. The speaker will discuss key challenges in performing research activities and share lessons learned.
Individual Presentations: Abstracts
Learning from Our Buildings: A Multi-Method Functional Performance Evaluation of a State-of-the-Art Outpatient Orthopedic Center of Excellence
Thursday, June 20, 4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. PDT
Forum (third, Hilton Portland Downtown)
Presenting author: Rutali Joshi, PhD, HKS Sr. Design Researcher
Authors: Rutali Joshi, PhD, EDAC, LSSYB, HKS, Detroit, MI; Deborah Wingler, PhD, EDAC, LSSYB, HKS, Dallas, TX; and Sara Kennedy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
This presentation will provide an overview of an evidence-based approach used to create the ultimate patient and staff experience and improve operational efficiency and flows in a six- story, 180,000-square-foot outpatient orthopedic facility in Brookhaven, Georgia. Methods, results and practical applications of the study will be discussed.
Building a Bridge between Research and Practice: One Firm’s Approach to Design Research for More Human-Centric Environments
Friday, June 21, 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. PDT
Plaza (Plaza, Hilton Portland Downtown)
Presenting author: Rutali Joshi, PhD, HKS Sr. Design Researcher
Authors: Rutali Joshi, PhD, EDAC, LSSYB, HKS, Detroit, MI and Renae Mantooth, PhD, WELL AP, HKS, Raleigh, NC
In this session, speakers will discuss their transition from academia to researchers in practice, while bridging the two. Session attendees will learn how an international architecture firm not only invests in design researchers but invests in a holistic evidence-based practice. The speakers will share glimpses into ongoing applied research efforts within the Health and Education market sectors, along with tools for discovery and diagnostics, prototyping and testing, and occupancy evaluations. In addition to employing research methods on applied projects, they conduct independent scholarly research studies that serve as a catalyst for innovation in design. They are also involved in firmwide initiatives such as Living Labs, research incubators and knowledge sharing, collaboratively pursuing various lines of inquiry in building technology, human experience, material performance and resilience. Based on their experience of remaining engaged with various academic pursuits including teaching and grant-funded research, in addition to their roles in industry, the speakers will discuss current and future opportunities for pracademics.
Design for Autism and Neurodiversity in the Emergency Department
Friday, June 21, 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. PDT
Council (third, Hilton Portland Downtown)
Presenting author: Elyssa Baker, HKS Health Fellow & Design Professional
Authors: Elyssa Bakker, EDAC, HKS, Washington, DC and Deborah Wingler, PhD, EDAC, LSSYB, HKS, Dallas, TX
The emergency room (ER) is an overwhelming place that is especially challenging for patients on the autism spectrum, who may have heightened sensory sensitivities, difficulty with communication and difficulty adapting to unpredictable situations. This research project aimed to develop feasible design strategies that reduce environmental stress and enhance opportunities for self-regulation, in a way that is more universal and integrated into the emergency care process.