Healing the hospital environment
-Design, management and maintenance of healthcare premises
This book is a cyclopaedia of how to design, managen and maintain the hospitals. It is divided into ten chapters and each chapter could be divided into at least five parts. It describes the establishment from floor to services in detail and shows products and materials and some other thing very clear.
The general appearance, interior design and environmental quality of hospitals and healthcare buildings have an important influence on patients, staff and the public. But many hospitals and healthcare environments fail to create a positive impression. This book identifies why many NHS buildings do not look or feel welcoming and why even well-intentioned efforts to make improvements are unsuccessful.
The author show that significant improvements can be made within limited resources if hospitals recognize what can be achieved, set standards and invest in the relevant design expertise.
This practical and accessible book is written to inform those who are responsible for these important public buildings what can be achieved. It gives a wide range of examples of effective improvement in design, management and maintenance of all types of hospital and healthcare premise and their surrounding land. It is also intended to help design professionals adapt to the particular requirements of these buildings and their wide range of functions.
From this book I found a very interesting thing which I have not heard before - Snoezelen room.This is consists of a system of lights that are programmed to gently move and change throughout a room’s interior; it is intended to relax and calm those who are agitated, whether because of mental illness, learning disability or behavioral problems. This room is specially designed to deliver stimuli to various senses, using lighting effects, color, sounds, music, scents, etc. Ideally, Snoezelen is a non-directive therapy and can be staged to provide a multi-sensory experience or single sensory focus, simply by adapting the lighting, atmosphere, sounds, and textures to the specific needs of the client at the time of use. There is no formal focus on therapeutic outcome - the focus is to assist users in gaining the maximum pleasure from the activity in which they and the enabler are involved. An advantage of Snoezelen is that it does not rely on verbal communication and may be beneficial for people with profound autism, as it may provide stimulation for those who would otherwise be almost impossible to reach.
2008年3月28日星期五
2008年3月25日星期二
Literature review 4 - Traditional paints and finishes
Traditional paints and finishes
--How to use natural materials and authentic techniques in today’s decorating
Fashion in decoration is always moving on, and the trend today is towards a rediscovery of traditional paints and paint effects. Their softer, subtler colors enable today’s homes to reclaim the look of earlier times. As these paints become increasingly available, more people seek instruction in their use.
This book meets all the needs of the do-it-yourself decorative painter. This comprehensive guide for the novice and the experienced reveals the classic techniques used by house painters, furniture paints, artists, and restores. It provides step-by-step instruction in the traditional skills and materials used in wall coating, decoupage, lime washing, and glue painting, as well as more complex techniques for fresco, decorating with bronze powders, oil-gilding, and lacquering.
In addition, it provides information on the paints that are available today and how to obtain them. Starting with how paints are made and which paint is suitable for each task, the book demonstrates the wild variety of colours and textures that are offered. It gives detailed instructions for making patients from natural pigments and other basic ingredients, and included a list of artists and suppliers.
I know that doing DIY is very popular in Britain, and there are lots of TV programmes which show people how to improve their homes.
Some people stick to simple decorating – putting up wall-paper and painting walls. But there are all sorts of DIY projects that some people decide to take on, from laying new flooring, to plumbing, such as putting in a new shower, or tiling walls.
Unfortunately, some people bite off more than they can chew, and start doing a job which ends in DIY disaster. For example, it’s recommended that anything electrical should be done by a qualified electrician, but many people ignore this warning and put themselves in danger.
There is also a huge market for flat-pack furniture which you put together yourself with a few basic tools. Often people who are not very savvy about DIY find the supposedly simple instructions impossible to follow, and it's easy to build a piece of furniture which is unstable or just not very attractive!
Gardening is also popular, and a good way to enjoy the weather on a sunny Bank Holiday. But it’s not as simple as planting plants and doing some weeding. More complicated work such as building a new patio or some decking can cause some stress and back-ache!
So why do people do it? Who knows, maybe we are so used to working that we aren't very good at relaxing. One thing’s for sure, though a lot of DIY or gardening projects will be started with the best intentions during the Bank Holiday weekend, many of them may not get finished!
--How to use natural materials and authentic techniques in today’s decorating
Fashion in decoration is always moving on, and the trend today is towards a rediscovery of traditional paints and paint effects. Their softer, subtler colors enable today’s homes to reclaim the look of earlier times. As these paints become increasingly available, more people seek instruction in their use.
This book meets all the needs of the do-it-yourself decorative painter. This comprehensive guide for the novice and the experienced reveals the classic techniques used by house painters, furniture paints, artists, and restores. It provides step-by-step instruction in the traditional skills and materials used in wall coating, decoupage, lime washing, and glue painting, as well as more complex techniques for fresco, decorating with bronze powders, oil-gilding, and lacquering.
In addition, it provides information on the paints that are available today and how to obtain them. Starting with how paints are made and which paint is suitable for each task, the book demonstrates the wild variety of colours and textures that are offered. It gives detailed instructions for making patients from natural pigments and other basic ingredients, and included a list of artists and suppliers.
I know that doing DIY is very popular in Britain, and there are lots of TV programmes which show people how to improve their homes.
Some people stick to simple decorating – putting up wall-paper and painting walls. But there are all sorts of DIY projects that some people decide to take on, from laying new flooring, to plumbing, such as putting in a new shower, or tiling walls.
Unfortunately, some people bite off more than they can chew, and start doing a job which ends in DIY disaster. For example, it’s recommended that anything electrical should be done by a qualified electrician, but many people ignore this warning and put themselves in danger.
There is also a huge market for flat-pack furniture which you put together yourself with a few basic tools. Often people who are not very savvy about DIY find the supposedly simple instructions impossible to follow, and it's easy to build a piece of furniture which is unstable or just not very attractive!
Gardening is also popular, and a good way to enjoy the weather on a sunny Bank Holiday. But it’s not as simple as planting plants and doing some weeding. More complicated work such as building a new patio or some decking can cause some stress and back-ache!
So why do people do it? Who knows, maybe we are so used to working that we aren't very good at relaxing. One thing’s for sure, though a lot of DIY or gardening projects will be started with the best intentions during the Bank Holiday weekend, many of them may not get finished!
2008年3月19日星期三
Teamworking workshop
I have a whole day team working workshop today. Too tired!
To be frank, it is not a good memory to work my brain continually whole day.
After communicating with partner about the goals, the skills and so on, we achieve a consensus about the subtitle and the timetable about process. Our publication has a good name – Spark. I gave this name and in my opinion spark is a flash of light produced when two hard substances are struck together, just like our fleeting inspirations on design. The subtitle is '…is the fusion of culture, discipline, practice and reflection'. We think this for a long time, and argue this for a long way.
The result is absolutely good. We decide the timeline in order to produce our publication on time. We draw the timeline on the floor in our studio. It is amazing work by Nevada! The style is totally different from mine; her style is cute and innocent. Actually I like her drawings and paintings very much.
The thinking way is very different between different nationalities. We don’t decide things like this we always do it very quickly and divide the jobs at first. We focus on the result and the process is not cared. In another words, we don’t enjoy the process. But from work with UK people, I found it is very interesting during the process.
To be frank, it is not a good memory to work my brain continually whole day.
After communicating with partner about the goals, the skills and so on, we achieve a consensus about the subtitle and the timetable about process. Our publication has a good name – Spark. I gave this name and in my opinion spark is a flash of light produced when two hard substances are struck together, just like our fleeting inspirations on design. The subtitle is '…is the fusion of culture, discipline, practice and reflection'. We think this for a long time, and argue this for a long way.
The result is absolutely good. We decide the timeline in order to produce our publication on time. We draw the timeline on the floor in our studio. It is amazing work by Nevada! The style is totally different from mine; her style is cute and innocent. Actually I like her drawings and paintings very much.
The thinking way is very different between different nationalities. We don’t decide things like this we always do it very quickly and divide the jobs at first. We focus on the result and the process is not cared. In another words, we don’t enjoy the process. But from work with UK people, I found it is very interesting during the process.
2008年3月12日星期三
Literature review 3 - The art of good health using visual arts in healthcare
Read this book I found that the arts have never had a more substantial role in healthcare than they do today.
The benefits include:
·Breaking down barriers between hospitals and local communities
·Improved health outcomes
·Improvements to the physical environment
Art in hospitals can provide therapeutic activity for patients and carers. It offers a welcome distraction for those who are ill, or who are visiting loved ones that are ill. It provides a more pleasant working environment for staff and can be used by them to communicate information more effectively.
This book showcases some inspiring examples of the creative application of visual arts in healthcare environments and examines its history and benefits to patients and staff alike. It is complemented by The art of good health: A practical handbook which provides a wealth of advice and practical information to trusts wishing to either instigate their own arts projects or enhance existing programmes.
The use of arts in healthcare has a long history – dating back to the ancient civilizations. Fast forward to the 21st century and the arts in healthcare is a rich and varied area of activity which is rapidly developing in the UK and abroad.
The visual arts are the focus for this publication, but other arts activities involving music, performing arts, storytelling and workshops for patients are becoming more popular both for their therapeutic, as well as aesthetic, benefits. These activities should be acknowledged for their great value in the health services.
Equally, therapy using the arts – be it dance, drama, music or art – is recognized as an integral, evidence-based, psychological and creative tool for improving physical and mental well-being.
The benefits include:
·Breaking down barriers between hospitals and local communities
·Improved health outcomes
·Improvements to the physical environment
Art in hospitals can provide therapeutic activity for patients and carers. It offers a welcome distraction for those who are ill, or who are visiting loved ones that are ill. It provides a more pleasant working environment for staff and can be used by them to communicate information more effectively.
This book showcases some inspiring examples of the creative application of visual arts in healthcare environments and examines its history and benefits to patients and staff alike. It is complemented by The art of good health: A practical handbook which provides a wealth of advice and practical information to trusts wishing to either instigate their own arts projects or enhance existing programmes.
The use of arts in healthcare has a long history – dating back to the ancient civilizations. Fast forward to the 21st century and the arts in healthcare is a rich and varied area of activity which is rapidly developing in the UK and abroad.
The visual arts are the focus for this publication, but other arts activities involving music, performing arts, storytelling and workshops for patients are becoming more popular both for their therapeutic, as well as aesthetic, benefits. These activities should be acknowledged for their great value in the health services.
Equally, therapy using the arts – be it dance, drama, music or art – is recognized as an integral, evidence-based, psychological and creative tool for improving physical and mental well-being.
2008年3月7日星期五
Visiting The Lighthouse
Today I have an interesting trip in The Lighthouse in Glasgow.The Lighthouse in Glasgow is Scotland's Centre for Architecture, Design and the City. It was opened as part of Glasgow's status as UK City of Architecture and Design in 1999.
The Lighthouse is the renamed, conversion of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's 1895 Glasgow Herald newspaper office. The centre's vision is to develop the links between design, architecture, and the creative industries, seeing these as interconnected social, educational, economic and cultural issues of concern to everyone.
One of the stunning features of The Lighthouse is the uninterrupted view over Glasgow's cityscape from the Mackintosh Tower at the north of the building, which is accessible via a helical staircase from the third floor. The color and shape are so amazing and fascinating that I take lot of pictures in that staircase. From the top of the tower, I have seen elegant buildings around The Lighthouse which have a long history and full of Scottish features.
In the main building, there is also another modern viewing platform at the south of the building, which forms the buildings sixth floor and is only accessible via lift. Unfortunately, I did not find it. What a pity!
There are two exhibitions in that building today: one is senses of place, building excellence, the other is take away. They both give me a range of new ideas.
The exhibition of senses of place: building excellence shows the outcomes of a series of workshops, in response to the Scottish Government’s ‘Curriculum for Excellence’, in which teachers, pupils and other school users from five local authorities across Scotland have worked with leading Scottish architects and designers to influence the design of learning spaces for the future. The local authorities involved in the project are Argll & Bute, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Stiring, and West Lothian. This display gives people a good view of how should the school buildings should be designed to improve the learning experience. They use natural materials, warm colors, beautiful shapes and suitable lightings in that space in order to demonstrate their design outcomes directly and touchable to audiences.
The second exhibition named “Take away”. It displays a large number of products from the tiffin box to the lunch box, army canteen to sports bottle, stacking cup to coffee machine cup and something else. Take away looks at the culture of takeaway food and the objects associated with eating on the move. We can see tableware, cutlery, packaging and furniture, which have impacted our modern eating habits and design of objects around us. Every display has an obvious feature in its time and local.The signs of toilets in that building give me a strong impression. These signs are different from other common ones. They give visitors a vivid and amusing view to show the location of toilet.
This trip fills in a gap in the cultural field of food and drink in my knowledge scope.
2008年3月3日星期一
Enjoy general work shop
This is the opportunity I wait for a long time to make something use pieces of wood and cutting machines.
The workshop is in level 5, Mathew Building, beside the sculpture department. Following signs for sculpture and ceramics, we get our destination. It is a big space for making wooden furniture and decoration. Normal automatic machines are just seen from TV series. I did not have the opportunity to do this handmade work in China because it is lack of this kind of space and machines and resource in my university.
The different machines are not difficult to control depends on how careful we listen to staff’s introduction and demonstration and compliance with the operating rules. The staff said observing the operating rules is very important and tells us two horrible accidents in this workshop lat year. Then he teaches us how to operate these machines to cut, drill and polish.
After about five hours’ working, there are two works in my hands, a cube and a photo frame. I enjoy this workshop in a deep happiness and I plan to do some decoration on them.
The workshop is in level 5, Mathew Building, beside the sculpture department. Following signs for sculpture and ceramics, we get our destination. It is a big space for making wooden furniture and decoration. Normal automatic machines are just seen from TV series. I did not have the opportunity to do this handmade work in China because it is lack of this kind of space and machines and resource in my university.
The different machines are not difficult to control depends on how careful we listen to staff’s introduction and demonstration and compliance with the operating rules. The staff said observing the operating rules is very important and tells us two horrible accidents in this workshop lat year. Then he teaches us how to operate these machines to cut, drill and polish.
After about five hours’ working, there are two works in my hands, a cube and a photo frame. I enjoy this workshop in a deep happiness and I plan to do some decoration on them.
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