Design consultancy awarded to Kingston University
The rise in the ageing population and an increase in the number of people with dementia are putting pressure on the NHS to provide hospital wards that care for patients who require dementia assessment. The Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture, Professor Hilary Dalke and Research Fellow Alessio Corso have been awarded a consultancy to design a specialist unit at Mile End Hospital. Designs for the colour schemes of walls, supply of flooring, visuals and signage to aid orientation, and development of the therapy area are all part of the refurbishment. Early work has involved measuring all materials to be retained such as flooring in the corridor, planning the colour changed in contiguous spaces (known to be a problem for patients with dementia), sourcing and locating the signage and visual cues for orientation. Presentation to the Community Interest Group, and completion is expected in April 2012.