| Description | This study examined the attitudes to a range of design interventions in four residential care homes for children in South Lanarkshire. The project set out to identify the benefits and disadvantages to young people and staff of a change in approach to the design of interior spaces. |
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| ISBN | (Web Only) |
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| Official Print Publication Date | |
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| Website Publication Date | June 02, 2006 |
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2 Literature Review
2.1 The design of our physical environment has been shown to affect our behaviour and impact on our well-being. Good design in health, education and work settings have been shown to have a range of positive effects. For example, the Scottish Executive views design as critical to realising aspirations for the school estate by creating the right environment to ensure students realise their potential. Perceptions of space affect people's attitudes and impact on their behaviour within particular spaces.
2.2 The design of care facilities has traditionally been driven by statutory and health and safety considerations, usually resulting in an 'institutional' look and feel. Children and young people in residential care have spoken tellingly about the impact of their environment on their experience of care. Although the links between the physical environment and therapeutic benefit have been known for some time, the literature on residential child care has not dealt with it in any great detail. The size of the children's homes has been the only aspect of the physical environment which a number of studies have linked to broader conclusions about the welfare of children and young people in care.
Standard 5 of the National Standards emphasises that children and young people should stay in a welcoming, warm and comfortable environment that is safe, secure and accessible. The poor design of buildings is likely to lead to stigma, and loss of children's, and young people's self-esteem and self-respect. Design also has an impact on rights of privacy and personal space. The relationships between staff and children and young people can also be affected by the design of buildings and young people have frequently commented on the role of the office in distancing staff. Design impacts on opportunities for education and development of independent living skills, as well as physical safety.
2.3 Consultation with the users of buildings is an important aspect of the design process. Consultation can encourage ownership and may assist in ensuring that the design issues are articulated and considered during the design process. The importance of gathering the views of a range of users has been emphasised. Lack of consultation can lead to poor briefing decisions and design failures.
2.4 Design guidance can provide a valuable tool to ensure that the pertinent issues that mark the success of a children's home are adequately addressed. It can also help identify approaches that are problematic and do not work well. Design guidance should be a resource that is tailored to the specific needs of both the commissioning client and the designers. It can help in the preparation of a design brief, facilitate good communication, and the effective management of the design process. It should not be prescriptive, but provide a framework for the client to effectively define the considerations to be addressed and to adequately inform the designer during the creative process.