Melbourne Design Week 2023: The Future of Inclusive Design

Supported by the National Gallery of Victoria, Gray Puksand presented an insightful panel discussion on The Future of Inclusive Design during this year’s Melbourne Design Week.

We were delighted to welcome Melbourne’s design community into the “Tardis”, more commonly known as our recently completed historic Yarra Falls building in Abbotsford, Victoria to think differently about designing for inclusivity.

Moderated by one of our Melbourne Partners Kelly Wellington, we heard from Sally Lasslett, Principal of Hester Hornbrook Academy (HHA) and Nick Morris OAM, Director of Morris Goding Access Consulting (MGAC) who provided insights into how the built environment is incorporating inclusivity into design elements.

Hester Hornbrook Academy, an independent school for students who were failed by the mainstream school system – designed by our Melbourne Education team and led by Partner Mark Freeman – was at the heart of the night’s conversation.

The school is designed to be a learning space for disengaged school students who have experienced social adversity and significant trauma. HHA’s sensitive design response supports a myriad of students who are unable to learn in a traditional environment and builds a spirit of community, encourages inclusiveness, and promotes social interaction, connection and belonging.

As General Manager of Education at Melbourne City Mission and Principal of Hester Hornbrook Academy, Sally has placed the flexible school setting on the map, growing the school from 80 to 400 students since its launch in 2021.

To provide a sense of safety and comfort for students at HHA, Gray Puksand positioned the classrooms at the core of the building to ensure ample, wheelchair and stroller-friendly pathways from reception to the breakout zones and study areas throughout.

“For many of our students, the corridor is a place that represents trauma. Our school needs to be designed for young people to learn in a way that is suitable to their unique needs,” Sally said.

The key guiding principles that Sally attributed to informing the school’s design were showing empathy and listening to the students’ requests and needs. The result was incorporating all-gender facilities, young parents’ rooms for nappy changing and breastfeeding and child-friendly learning spaces into HHA’s design.

When asked about HHA’s emerging campus in Werribee, Sally explained that “something new we’re implementing is a prayer room. For the design of each campus, we spend a lot of time understanding the community’s needs which led to knowing that a prayer room was very important at this location.”

Another notable change-maker who is making a difference in the future state of Australia’s built environment is former Paralympian, Director of MGAC and accredited Accessibility and Universal Design expert, Nick Morris OAM.

Renowned for creating seamless accessibility and universal inclusive design at MGAC, Nick has become an influential role model within the architecture and design industry and a respected consultant to many organisations internationally.

With multiple qualifications in human movement and secondary and vocational education, Nick’s expertise and commitment have allowed him to help promote accessibility and inclusion on behalf of many end-users, in addition to those with a disability.

“As someone who’s in a wheelchair, I know that a disability and NDIS-friendly building will have a ramp, lift and automatic doors. If you were to ask any parent with a pram what they need when they enter a building, the same answer will apply,” Nick said.

“The question I always ask is: how can we make the world a better place? I encourage people to experience the Special Olympics Australia and watch a Paralympic event, train a guide dog or simply people-watch in your local community. It’s important to remember that buildings aren’t beautiful spaces until they’re filled with people.”

A special thanks to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a meaningful conversation on The Future of Inclusive Design.

Watch our video below for a sneak peek of the night.

Melbourne Design Week 2023: The Future of Inclusive Design

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