Report on Leading Practices in Co-Design in Aged Care Settings

Global Community Resourcing’s long term Co-Design partner The Swinburne Living Lab has recently wrapped up a co-design project in partnership with a Melbourne based aged care provider, focused on reimagining a newly cleared outdoor space for aged care residents.

Over six months and 17 workshops, the Swinburne Team led by Professor Sonja Pedell collaborated closely with residents from the retirement village and assisted living units to shape a shared vision for the space—one that balances tranquillity, accessibility, and creativity. From rotunda and garden designs to tech-facilitated idea sharing, the process empowered residents to meaningfully contribute to a place they call their own.

This project used leading international codesign practices to ensure residents were fully engaged in the design process.

Professor Pedell noted that there were many highlights in the project including catching up with Bobby, a resident from the assisted living units, as he enjoyed the view: “Just sitting here looking up there is very sort of peaceful. It’s a beautiful open space. It’s nice to be in. You don’t want clutter. It’s all out there.”

This work was financed by the Australian Research Council (DP230100796) and brought to life by the multidisciplinary team from Swinburne University of Technology.

Envision the outdoor garden.pdf

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