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DR ELIZABETH KAROL
PhD (Curtin), B.Eng (Civil) (Swinburne), B.Arch (Melb).
INTRODUCTION
I have practiced in architecture, structural engineering and building surveying in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Melbourne and Perth prior to becoming an academic in Perth. I continued to be engaged in consultancies whilst being an academic. Those consultancies included assessment of schools and aged care facilities for compliance with regulations and codes and design of sustainable housing as demonstration projects.
My teaching and research practice has largely focused on those aspects of design that can bring about a socially and physically sustainable built environment. Largely as a result of research for my doctoral thesis, my teaching and research became more focused on the integration of ecological and social issues with building science and architectural design.
Since 2018 I have been a partner in the design research consultancy DEKS with a colleague, Dr Dianne Smith. See the publication list below for our latest outputs. Our focus is the design of affordable accommodation for people with impeded cognitive functioning with the aim of creating improved supportive environments.
I am currently an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University.
RELEVANT OUTPUTS
Refereed Articles:
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Karol, E. and Smith, D.(2021) Design Considerations for Residents with Impeded Cognitive Functioning: Conversations with People with Schizophrenia. Sustainability, 13, 7733. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147733
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Karol, E.and Smith, D. (2020) Expanding design approaches to create supportive home environments for people with impeded cognitive functioning. Design for Health, 02 January 2020, Vol.4(1), pp.43-62
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Smith, D. and Karol, E. (2019) An accommodation design matrix to assist the provision of supportive accommodation for people with altered cognitive functioning.
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Karol E. and Smith D. (2018) Impact of design on emotional, psychological or social well-being for people with cognitive impairment. Health Environments Research & Design Journal. HERD-18-0029 12 (3): pp. 220–232.
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Smith, D. and Karol, E. (2017) Improving Chances? A design strategy to improve health and wellbeing. Environment and Health Special Edition. Australasian Medical Journal. Vol 10, No 6, pp.478-488.
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Karol, E. & Smith, D.(2015) Using design practice to re-conceptualize provision of services in intractable situations. The International Journal of Design in Society. Vol 8, No 3-4, 2015, pp.15-25. (Published Online: October 22, 2015)
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GAIA SEBASTIANI
Credentials
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Description of experience
Recent Relevant Projects
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DR DIANNE SMITH
BSc, BArch(Hons), GradDipIntDes(Dist), GradCertEd(HigherEd),Adv.Dip.TranspersonalArtTherapy, PhD,
FDIA, AIA, ANZACATA
INTRODUCTION
I practiced architecture and interior architecture prior to becoming an academic in at QUT, Qld and then Curtin University, WA. I have also engaged in consultancies in association with these positions, as well as publishing her projects’ processes and outputs in books and articles. My teaching and research practice included investigations within the following fields:
Design, Person-environment relationships, Discriminatory Design, Social Responsibility and designing, Design for people with impeded cognitive functioning, Post-Occupancy Evaluation, Creative Practice as well as Art Therapy.
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Currently I am engaged with dianne smith designdsd,an art therapy and design consultancy. Since 2015 I have been involved in art therapy activities in the form of group workshops, one-on-one therapy consultations, and research activities.
I am a partner in the design research consultancy DEKS with a colleague, Dr Elizabeth Karol. See the publication list above for our latest outputs. Our focus is the design of accommodation for people with impeded cognitive functioning with the aim of creating improved supportive environments.
I am also an Adjunct Associate Professor with Curtin University, WA. In that role I have been associated with teaching and research matters. My ongoing teaching and research over my academic and design careers included activities that involved community engagement and consultation (locally and internationally). I have always been involved in the professions and/or with community bodies. For example being on National Boards, local chapters, or as a judge for the Institute of Architects State Awards or in the past the DIA, as well as being an examiner of senior students locally and internationally.
RESEARCH INTO ACCOMMODATION for PEOPLE with IMPEDED COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING
Research I have carried out in Qld and WA has focused on neuro-diverse people and the impact of the built environment on the ability of people to be supported in achieving a positive lifestyle and wellbeing. This work been informed by an ongoing interest in how environments and people are interdependent and as such, decisions that designers make will influence how people experience their world and how they be able to cope. Investigations have involved people with complex needs such as people with acquired brain injury, dementia, and those with schizophrenia. Such projects have involved: interviews with the people with the condition of concern, allied health support personnel as well as facility operators; site observations and audits; art therapy informed workshops; conversations with designers (interior and architects); post occupancy evaluations.
RELEVANT OUTPUTS
During my career I have published a number of outputs—across a number of fields—that collectively inform my current professional work. These include edited books, book chapters, refereed articles, creative outputs as well as formal reports.
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