Projects at the interface of design and health are our core competency.
Outpatient care at the Women's Clinic | Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern
Participatory workshop on redesigning roles and processes
The relocation of the gynaecological outpatient clinics at the Inselspital Women’s Clinic to the Marie-Colinet-Haus presents an opportunity to rethink processes in outpatient gynaecological care. The SCDH is supporting the Women’s Clinic in the participatory redesign of roles, processes and interprofessional collaboration in the outpatient setting – using a structured workshop format that actively involves staff and delivers concrete, actionable results.
Enhancing timely access to acute psychiatric care@home for women after birth | Nursing Science Foundation Switzerland
Development of a care@home model
Perinatal mental illness affects around 15% of women in Switzerland and often leads to inpatient treatment – frequently involving separation of mother and child. The SCDH is supporting researchers at Bern University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with LerNetz AG, in developing an integrated care@home model that supports affected women in their home environment and enables continuous, interprofessional care.
Emergency triage at the Triemli site | Stadtspital Zürich
Simulation-based evaluation of infrastructure
How can costly planning errors be avoided while increasing safety, efficiency and patient benefits? The SCDH is supporting Zurich City Hospital in the renovation of the emergency triage at the Triemli site by means of simulation-based evaluation. In a participatory simulation workshop, planned spatial configurations and processes are reviewed under realistic conditions of use and optimised in a targeted manner – even before the renovation. The services provided by the SCDH are financed as part of the Smart City Zurich innovation loan.
Renovation of a nursing home | Stiftung Dessaules
Development of a colour concept
For the renovation of a care home belonging to the Dessaules Foundation, SCDH is developing an evidence-based colour concept that equally enhances orientation, well-being and identity. The aim is to create a calming design for the communal areas and alcoves leading to the residents' rooms, to repair wear and tear, and to create an atmospheric, nature-inspired environment for residents and care staff.
Colour shapes Learning | University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim
Pilot project on the effect of colour in learning spaces
The pilot project "Colour sets a precedent" is the first to investigate how different colour spectrums affect the well-being of pupils in learning environments. In the realistic test rooms in the SCDH Living Lab, colour concepts are made visible and tangible in order to measure their emotional impact under conditions that are true to life.
Lab of Horrors | Roche Diagnostics
Simulation-based evaluation of laboratory environments
The strategic organisation and setup of laboratories pose complex challenges. The "Lab of Horrors" workshop, which Roche Diagnostics held for invited customers at the SCDH Living Lab, demonstrated how realistic simulations can help optimise planned laboratory environments.
NIP-MedS: National Implementation Programme for Medication Safety
Development, review and implementation of measures to improve medication safety in three key areas
Medication errors pose significant risks to patients. The National Implementation Programme for Medication Safety (NIP-MedS) aims to ensure and improve medication safety throughout Switzerland in three key areas: safe handling of high-risk medications; reducing medication errors caused by confusion between medicines; safe management of medicines and medication when changes occur in the available drug supply.
Design for Dignity
Development of a modular and adaptable system to promote privacy in Swiss Federal Asylum Centers (FAC) and collective accommodation facilities
The development of a modular and adaptable solution to promote privacy aims to improve the living conditions and thus the well-being of refugees housed in Swiss federal asylum centres and collective accommodation. «Design for Dignity» is more than a product, it is a statement for greater humanity: dignity is a right for all people. Design can contribute to this.
Being a parent
A design- and evidence-based practice project on the participation of parents of origin in the context of the foster care system
Parents who cannot care for their children themselves live in great ambivalence. Shame, guilt, anger, sadness and fear are common feelings. Together with the parents of origin, the project is developing a participation tool that supports them in contributing to the successful upbringing of their children- despite physical distance.
New residential home |Humanitas Stiftung
Evaluation of accessibility and ergonomics of working conditions
The Humanitas Stiftung in Horgen is planning to build a new residential home. In order to ensure that it optimally meets the requirements of the residents and care staff, parts of the new building are being reviewed as part of a simulation workshop with the client's representatives, the architects and users.
kwer - the universal plate set
Participatory further development
kwer is a crockery set that enables or simplifies independent eating for older people and people with disabilities. It was developed together with the users and combines aesthetic design with high functionality. As part of a BRIDGE proof of concept, the existing prototypes are being further developed at the SCDH in collaboration with the users and a possible expansion of the product family is being considered.
Needs-based room design | Alters- und Pflegezentrum Bruggwiesen
Development and implementation of ten half-day training programmes
The individual needs, habits and abilities of residents in a retirement and nursing home are central to the design of the premises. The SCDH has developed a training programme for the Alters- und Pflegezentrum Bruggwiesen. In the realistic test rooms in the Living Lab, the entire staff is sensitised and trained in needs-based room design.
CAS Sports facilities
Input and simulations workshop
Sports facilities have to meet a wide range of different requirements, and the behaviour and needs of those using them are constantly changing. 1:1 simulation with the users can help to optimise the buildings.
CAS Medication Safety
Input on simulation-based testing
Medication errors are also common in Switzerland. The development of processes to improve safety is crucial. The input on simulation-based testing as part of the CAS Medication Safety at SCDH in Nidau is designed to highlight possibilities and encourage discussion.
Co-Care | Bern University of Applied Sciences
Coordination of care and assistance services for in-home dementia care
New care models are needed for the growing numbers of older persons living with dementia. To facilitate the provision of long-term care for people with dementia in their own homes, the interfaces between different providers of care and assistance services have to be identified and optimised. This is where this project comes in.
EVIDENT
Evidence-based architectural design of emergency departments for greater communication, collaboration and care delivery
How does the spatial design of emergency rooms influence interactions between medical staff, and what measurable effects does the quality of communication have on job satisfaction, the frequency of burnout, staff turnover and patient care? Emergency rooms are central points of contact in hospital environments, and understanding these relationships is key to evidence based and people-oriented future designs.
New nursing home | Stiftung Dessaules
Development of a colour and material concept
For the Stiftung Dessaules's new care home, SCDH is developing an evidence-based colour and material concept that takes into account orientation, everyday care and living atmosphere in equal measure. The aim is to create a health-promoting, homely and functionally well-designed environment for 13 residents in the new building.
Living in asylum centres | IKEA Schweiz
Workshop on developing new design approaches
IKEA has three major focus areas for its commitment under its sustainability strategy: «Healthy & sustainable living», «Climate action & circularity» and «Fair & equal». IKEA Switzerland has chosen to focus on the housing situation of refugees and would like to contribute to its improvement.
New operating theatre | Genolier Innovation Hub
Simulation-based evaluation in shell construction
The Genolier Innovation Hub is planning to build a 450 m2 «operations block». The space is slated to serve as a hub for research, development, education and training, as well as a venue for events. The primary focus, though, will be on its use as a training environment for surgeons and specialist medical personnel – as a space for practitioners to learn new techniques and test medical products.
Accessible Tour of Switzerland
Participatory and iterative development of an inclusive booking process
The aim is to optimally tailor the procedure for booking the «Accessible Tour of Switzerland» to the needs of customers with disabilities. To this end, the non-profit Claire & George Stiftung and the SCDH are collaborating to develop aspects of the user experience on the website through a participative and research-based approach as part of a project of the Swiss Innovation Agency «innovation cheque» grant programme.
New Hospital Building in Biel-Brügg| Spitalzentrum Biel
Simulation-based evaluation of the floor plan during the planning phase
With the help of projections, lightweight construction walls, context-specific furniture and mock-ups, teams from the hospital Spitalzentrum Biel, the fsp Architekten AG, the Steiger Concept AG and experts from the SCDH evaluate the floor plans for the planned new building in SCDH’s Extended-Reality Simulation Area. The objective: to identify architectural and construction challenges with regard to patient safety or the smooth workflow and delivery of care, and to avoid construction errors.
CAS Rebuild Ukraine | Bern University of Applied Sciences
Simulation-based evaluation of the floor plan of the Maternity Hospital in Dnipro
In the certificate of advanced studies (CAS) course «Rebuild Ukraine», refugees from Ukraine learn how they can make an enduring contribution to rebuilding their country. The SCDH supports the CAS course with a simulation and evaluation of the floor plans for the maternity hospital in Dnipro.
CAS Digital planning, building and use
Testing the floor plans of the new Biel/Bienne campus on the Extended-Reality Simulation Area
Visit to the SCDH by students of the advance studies course (CAS) «Digital planning, building and use» of the Bern University of Applied Sciences. Testing of the floor plans of the new Biel/Bienne campus in the Living Lab – physically testing, though, not digitally, and on a 1:1 scale in our Extended-Reality Simulation Area.
Age-appropriate seating for Muri-Gümligen | komform GmbH
Development and production of mock-ups and prototypes, manufacture of 18 benches
The Commune of Muri-Gümligen near Bern would like to make their public spaces more attractive to older members of the population. Among the elements people would like to see are age-friendly walking circuits and seating options. The SCDH developed a prototype of an age-sensitive seating option, based on designs by komform GmbH; it will be one of the options in a vote by the local population.
Service Design for Care@home | Bern University of Applied Sciences
Promoting health literacy among patients, their relatives and healthcare professionals
There are numerous Care@home initiatives running independently of each other in Switzerland. Their aim is to facilitate cost-efficient care at home and reduce the load on the hospital infrastructure for the long term. The interactions between the various service components being planned are highlighted in a visual situation analysis for stakeholders. The project lays the groundwork for a subsequent project – the development of a learning platform.
Health-promoting architecture | Rehaklinik Hasliberg
Visit to a best-practice example and introduction to the topic for the Rehaklinik Hasliberg
One-day event at the SCDH for the people involved in the construction process at the rehab clinic in preparation for the refurbishment and new construction work to be undertaken at Rehaklinik Hasliberg. The group visits an example of best practice and receives an introduction to the subject of health-promoting architecture.
New construction of outpatient clinic | Spital Bülach
Simulation-based evaluation of the floor plan during the planning phase
Joint evaluation of the floor plan for the new outpatient clinic in the Extended-Reality Simulation Area, with the use of projections, lightweight construction walls and context-specific furnishings and mock-ups, by the team from Bülach Hospital (Spital Bülach), the architect responsible and the SCDH’s experts. The objective: to identify architectural and construction challenges for patient safety and for the smooth flow of work and care services and to avoid construction errors.
Improving the user-friendliness of onkologika.ch | Onkologiepflege Schweiz
Analysis and recommendations for optimising the website
What does a user-friendly website look like? With this question in mind, experts from the SCDH, the Academic Society of Oncology Nursing (Akademische Fachgesellschaft Onkologiepflege), Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, the Insel Gruppe network of hospitals and the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen evaluate the website of the Swiss professional association for oncology nursing, Onkologiepflege Schweiz. In line with the SCDH’s participative approach, users from a variety of care settings and regions of Switzerland are involved in the evaluation.
oase.kleinbasel: an intergenerational centre for palliative care and support
Design and further development
Seating and presentation furniture for «NEXPO – The new Expo»
Development of a prototype
The mayors and representatives of Switzerland’s ten largest cities put forth a concept for the next national exhibit, calling for the «NEXPO – The new Expo» to explore new approaches: it should be sustainable, future-oriented and, above all, decentralised. The SCDH was charged developing the prototype of seating and presentation furniture piece for the concept’s launch.
Surgery unit, Bülach Hospital
Simulation workshops
Joint evaluation of the floor plan for the surgery unit in the Extended-Reality Simulation Area, with the use of projections, lightweight construction walls and context-specific furnishings and mock-ups, by the team from Bülach Hospital (Spital Bülach), the architect responsible and the SCDH’s experts. The objective: to identify architectural and construction challenges for patient safety and for the smooth flow of work and care services and to avoid construction errors.
New outpatient clinic MEDIN Biel/Bienne
Simulation workshop
Joint evaluation of the floor plans of the new outpatient clinic by the team from MEDIN Biel/Bienne and the SCDH’s experts using the Extended-Reality Simulation Area. The objective: identify architectural and structural challenges relating to patient safety or to smooth workflow and care processes and prevent construction errors.
WISE: web-based patient interview tool for interdisciplinary symptom evaluation
Analysis and recommendations for further development
WISE is a web-based patient interview tool used by the interdisciplinary pain unit at the University of Zurich’s Center for Dental Medicine to record and evaluate orofacial pain. The unit wants to increase user-friendliness in the next iteration of the tool.
Architecture of emergency wards
Presentation of research results from ETH Zurich
Presentation of the results of ETH Zurich research concerning the architecture of emergency wards using the Extended-Reality Simulation Area in the Living Lab and their evaluation by participants and students using defined scenarios.
New BFH campus
Presentation and evaluation of the plans in the SCDH Living Lab
Evaluation of the new spaces at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BHF) using the Extended-Reality Simulation Area. Display of planning materials, models and presentations in the Living Lab.
Queering healthy public spaces
Doing health and public spaces through a queer lens – an interdisciplinary programm for urban planning in german-speaking switzerland
Optimisation of urban planning processes through the involvement of members of the LGBTQIA+ community with the goal of improving public health.
