Community engagement to inform the design of a paramedicine training centre

Client
Victoria University

Timeframe
July 2024 - August 2024

Role
Principal

Engagement
Desk research, global review

“This new Centre will confirm our global reputation as a provider of outstanding health professionals.”

— University leadership

Objective

To leverage community engagement and support Victoria University in developing a robust and human-centred design brief for partners involved in producing the new Centre of Excellence in Paramedicine.

Methodology

I worked with Victoria University to develop a design brief for their new Centre of Excellence in Paramedicine, ensuring the space would genuinely meet the needs of its future users. Here's how my team and I approached it:

  • Phase 1: We kicked things off with a collaborative workshop involving students, lecturers, and Ambulance Victoria staff. Through hands-on activities, we prototyped what the future space might look like, brainstorming key user experiences. People shared ideas, from practical training spaces to how the centre could foster collaboration. This session gave us a clear picture of what mattered to those who would use the centre daily.

  • Phase 2: Building on the workshop, we crafted 50+ user stories to capture the envisioned spaces. These stories outlined what each area should include, how it should feel, and how it should function. With our expertise in architecture and placemaking, we translated these ideas into practical design specifications.

  • Phase 3: To make sure the Centre of Excellence would be world-class, we looked at 18 immersive simulation environments from around the globe. We explored what worked in paramedicine training and other educational contexts, uncovering design ideas that would push the boundaries for Victoria University. These findings became vital to the brief, giving future design partners evidence-based inspiration.

Outcome

Victoria University is committed to training a top-tier paramedicine workforce, and this centre will play a central role in that mission. It's designed to bring together students, first responders, academics, and industry to innovate and learn.

By actively involving future users, we created a human-centred design brief that reflects their needs and aspirations. Ultimately, it leads to a result that is not just a functional building—it becomes a place where people feel supported, inspired, and ready to make a difference.

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