The Project
NOVELL Redesign is a healthcare redesign and innovation project funded by the Felton Bequest and the University of Melbourne. The project is based at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia and the team is in close partnership with government, healthcare, industry, academia and community. NOVELL Redesign provides an evidence-based springboard for rethinking how stroke rehabilitation facilities are designed and integrated with models of care. Our goal is to develop a comprehensive and evidence-based design process, taking a whole facility and a whole service approach. We begin by considering current best practice guidelines and best evidence rehabilitation architecture. We then apply rigorous research and cutting edge technology to visualize, rigorously test and refine new designs in a virtual facility to produce the optimal outcome for all users.
Our Living Lab Framework
Engagement
We use co-design and co-creation methods – bringing together stakeholders and end-users to rethink rehabilitation in partnership with researchers and designers. By engaging with the entire rehabilitation system we can generate new ways of thinking about services and the environment in which rehabilitation is delivered.
Evaluation
We evaluate our processes and outcomes throughout the project life cycle. This helps us to ensure the success of the NOVELL Redesign Living Lab framework and to deliver successfully on the project aims.
Research
Design Science emphasises problem identification, solution design, evaluation and communication. Design mock-ups of rehabilitation facilities are built in a virtual environment and refined through rapid prototyping.
This research method is ideally suited for investigating previously under-researched areas of healthcare design. By taking this approach, we can prioritise high transferability, leading to real-world impact.
Impact
The real-world impacts of project outputs are captured and fed back into the ongoing Living Lab cycles to spark further innovation. We engage with our cross-sector networks to disseminate new findings and lessons learned, and partner with industry to impact practice change.
Our Design Process
Multi-method
Existing user-centred, co-creation methodologies are adapted and combined to create a multi-method approach that addresses our specific project goals.
Engagement
End-users and all relevant stakeholders are actively engaged to ensure a mutually valued outcome, including
representatives from public and private sectors, academia and every-day citizens.
Cycles of Innovation
Virtual reality technology allows us to have multiple design iterations and rapidly prototype new designs in context.