Attendees at the “Transformation of Spaces – Eldercare in The New Age” workshop at SIT@Dover on 17 November 2017

As part of SIT’s efforts to translate the parameters of functionality, comfort as well as visual and tactile stimuli into a conducive healing space for the elderly, the university’s Design and Specialised Businesses cluster and SITLEARN came together to organise a workshop aptly titled “A Collective Dialogue about the Transformation of Spaces – Eldercare in the New Age.”

Held at SIT@Dover on 17 November, the day-long workshop featured speakers and panelists from organisations such as Changi General Hospital, Society of Interior Designers, National Council of Social Services, and even as far as the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council. More than 50 participants from 24 organisations attended the workshop, and they hailed from various backgrounds ranging from allied healthcare professionals to even architects.

Assistant Professor Agnes Xue, Design and Specialised Businesses, SIT facilitating the workshop

Facilitated by Assistant Professor Agnes Xue, Design and Specialised Businesses, SIT, the workshop focused on the participatory design approach to transform eldercare spaces through workgroup activities and a panel session.

Robert Wong, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council guiding attendees during the workshop activity.

Proceedings kicked off with Robert Wong, Project Development Director, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, and followed suit with Associate Professor May Lim, Director, CoLEAD, SIT and Assistant Professor Chien Szu-Cheng, Engineering, SIT who shared on the topics of designing an elder-friendly space from the perspective of design, healthcare and engineering respectively.

Attendee Amanda Tjoa, an Occupational Therapist at THK Therapy Services, said “The course provided an insight to transforming spaces for eldercare, which should ideally involve the elderly, healthcare professionals, and architects/designers.”

Associate Professor May Lim, Director, CoLEAD, SIT delivering her presentation on “Designing a Dementia-friendly Environment”

Panel Session: (L to R): Robert Wong, Project Development Director, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council; Mizah Rahman, Co-founder, Participate in Design; Marceline Chin, Advocacy & Membership Group, Pumpkin Lab, National Council of Social Services; Nicholas Merrow-Smith, Honorary Adviser, Society of Interior Designers; Dr Ng Li Ling, Senior Consultant, Psychiatrist, Changi General Hospital; Assistant Professor Agnes Xue, Design and Specialised Businesses, SIT.

This article was originally published on SIT's Digital Newsroom.