Design for Dignity | Bern University of Applied Sciences

Design for Dignity | Bern University of Applied Sciences

Development of a modular and adaptable system to promote privacy in Asylum Centers

A modular and adaptable system to promote privacy in asylum centres improves the living conditions and well-being of refugees whilst also supporting staff working conditions. The SCDH is supporting the project – developed as part of the MA Design Entrepreneurship programme and funded by the Gebert Rüf Foundation – with expertise in material studies, prototyping and testing. ‘Design for Dignity’ is more than just a product: it is a statement for greater humanity – because dignity is a right for all people, and design can contribute to this.

Term

July 2025–January 2027

Client

Bern University of Applied Sciences / Bern Academy of the Arts / Institute for Design Research

Funding

Berner Design Stiftung
Gebert Rüf Stiftung / First Ventures / PROOF, VALIDATE, EXECUTE
Impact Acoustic

Translated with DeepL.

Context

Asylum centres often lack privacy. Overcrowded facilities and limited space mean that residents have little opportunity to retreat. This causes persistent stress, sleep problems and exacerbates existing trauma. At the same time, the spatial conditions make the staff’s work more difficult. The ‘Design for Dignity’ project addresses this challenge and is based on the conviction that even a minimum level of privacy improves mental wellbeing, reduces stress and has a positive impact on communal living in temporary communities. ‘Design for Dignity’ was developed by Violetta Dyka as part of the MA Design Entrepreneurship programme at the Bern University of the Arts. Its further development is supported by the Gebert Rüf Foundation.

Approach

The project follows a user-centred and research-based design process. The starting point is research and observations of how refugees create makeshift spaces for privacy using simple means – such as textiles.

Building on this, comprehensive design and material studies are carried out in close collaboration with the workshops and the SCDH’s material collection. The aim is to develop solutions that are functional, robust, cost-effective and easy to integrate into existing structures.

These studies have resulted in five prototypes that differ in terms of materials and construction and offer both visual and acoustic protection. The prototypes will be tested and evaluated on a 1:1 scale as part of a co-design workshop with experts from the fields of migration, integration and service design. Particular emphasis will be placed on assessing sustainability and local production, functionality and modularity, as well as manufacturing costs.

The prototype preferred by the test subjects – made of PET felt panels with Velcro fastenings – will then be further developed, produced as a pilot series and trialled by residents of an asylum centre between March and April 2026. The feedback during and immediately after installation is consistently positive: the protection, modularity and the ability to open individual elements separately are particularly appreciated. The systematic evaluation of the feedback will take place in summer 2026. In parallel, a scalable business model and a production strategy will be developed.

In April 2026, the Gebert Rüf Foundation approved further funding for the ongoing evaluation, the iterative development of the prototypes, as well as the roll-out, market entry and scaling.

Objectives

To sustainably improve the quality of life and mental wellbeing of refugees in Swiss federal asylum centres and collective accommodation.
To foster a greater sense of autonomy and dignity by creating flexible quiet spaces.
To ease the working conditions of staff and create more functional spatial layouts.
To scale the developed solution beyond the asylum context and implement it in other areas with shared spaces.

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