Nightingale Associates speaks on patient environment in Australia

11 May 2010

Nightingale Associates lend healthcare expertise to Design & Health Australasia symposium

Founder, Mike Nightingale and Design Research and Innovation Director, Kieren Morgan, represented Nightingale Associates at the Design & Health Australasia symposium last month.

Mike Nightingale chaired sessions on ‘Health Planning and Models of Care’ and ‘Design and Architecture for Health’ while Kieren Morgan gave a talk, titled, ‘Responsive Design: The Patient and the Environment’. This focused upon Nightingale Associates’ Alltwen Community Hospital in Wales.

Kieren spoke about the unique characteristics of the site, requiring the hospital to demonstrate a sensitive approach to both the existing bio-diversity and archaeology. Capturing the natural beauty of the immediate and distant landscape for the benefit of staff, patients and visitors has directly influenced the plan, section and materiality of the hospital, providing a design, which underlines the connection between patient wellbeing and an environmentally responsible design.

“This turned out to be an extremely well attended and interesting event, characterized by lively debate, for example, about the pros and cons of 100 per cent single rooms in hospitals.”

Mike Nightingale, Founder, Nightingale Associates

Design & Health Australasia 2010 is an international symposium and exhibition dedicated to exploring global perspectives on enhancing health, wellbeing and quality of life within the local context of health infrastructure development within the Australasian region. The event aims to explore global perspectives on the planning, procurement, finance, design, construction and operation of health facilities.

“Events like this really are a unique way for architects, designers and health planners to share knowledge and understanding across continents. The extent of engagement between those engaged in research and practice, and between, in this instance, Australian, US and UK firms, is spectacular. Our attendees appreciate the opportunity to learn, network and make connections with their peers, counterparts and potential clients, globally.”

Jim Benham, Director of Marketing, Design & Health

The Design & Health Australasia 2010 took place at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney from 29-30 April 2010. The theme of the event was global perspectives and local identities.