This paper discusses ergonomics and user-centred design approaches in health-services environments, specifically Intensive Care Units in Hospitals, through a design research project developed with Industrial Design master’s students. Initially, a review of the literature shows current approaches to ICU design, mainly from an architectural perspective. Current and futuristic visions for ICU spaces are illustrated through examples from architecture and science fiction movies. The concept of ‘very large scale integration’ within digital technologies is also discussed, as a basis for possible design directions. Subsequently, field work through user-observations, surveys and unstructured interviews of patients, family, and healthcare workers (mainly nurses and medical doctors) carried on at the Calvary John James Hospital and the Canberra Hospital are described, and main findings are summarized. Based on the previous research, tangible outcomes of this project also include some short-term solutions as well as futuristic conceptual design proposals.
8th International Conference on Design Principles and Practices
8th International Conference on Design Principles and Practices
