Mikkel Hjort
Winner of travel grant of DKK 30.000.
How to integrate Universal Design in the design process
The purpose of Mikkel Hjort’s research residency is to further develop and improve existing methods for knowledge translation and the application of interdisciplinary knowledge through an evidence-based design approach.
During the residency Mikkel will investigate how to mediate knowledge between research and practice. This will be done through the development of a methodology. The methodology will be based on the evidence-based design process. During his stay at Texas A&M, he is also invited to be part of the teaching staff, and he hopes to gain knowledge about knowledge translation in the Active Living course at Texas A&M.
Mikkel have been in an ongoing positive dialogue with the School of Architecture at Texas A&M, and they have offered him a research residency from March 25th until April 5th 2024.
Watch the pitch below.
Follow
Mikkel Hjort
's investigation
Mikkel has started his investigation in USA. Below you can read posts along the way from his journey, in which he details his experiences and the insight he has gained thus far.
March 2024
March and April 2024
Texas A&M
My visit is a collaboration between the two research groups at the School of Architecture, Design Research for Active Living with Professor Chanam Lee and and Evidence-Based Laboratory with Professor Kirk Hamilton at Texas A&M.
I have had meetings with the two professors. In addition, I have attended classes and participated in critiquing the students’ projects. I have also given a a presentation to staff and students at Texas A&M. I also meet a bunch of staff members I had interesting conversations with.
Knowledge from the trip will be produced in different ways. I’ve written a popular science article about what it takes to make the design process focus more on universal design. The article is published in Byrumsmonitor and can be found here: https://byrummonitor.dk/Debat/art9903900/Hvorfor-h%C3%A6ver-forskning-i-universelt-design-ikke-arkitekternes-arbejde-En-del-af-skylden-ligger-hos-bygherrerne
I’m currently working on a scientific article about evidensbased design in collaboration with Kirk Hamilton. The scientific article will be published in the end of the year.
Mikkel Hjort: We had to create a space that works for everyone
Using Universal Design and evidence-based design, Mikkel Hjort designed accessible gardens for patients at a psychiatric center in Denmark.
Main findings
“Based on existing theories like the stress reduction theory, the project team and I were able to improve the outdoor area and adapt it to the patients’ needs. The two gardens had room for sitting alone as well as an active space for doing social activities. When walking around the garden, there was room to interact with other patients, and patients could also sit with their relatives.
Our research indicates that the patients were very content with the gardens. For a short moment, they could forget their daily life struggles. We also showed that it is possible to improve the quality of the outdoor area on a smaller budget.”
The use of Universal Design
“Although the patients might share the same diagnosis, they had very different needs. Some preferred a well-kept garden, while others wanted a wilder and more natural environment, which at times created challenges.
Universal Design requires us to consider everyone’s needs. By listening to their perspectives, we realized that we needed to create a space that worked for everyone and take specific considerations into account.”
Why others should apply
“It was a great experience being part of the scholarship. I highly recommend others to do it, as it was an exciting process to undergo.
My experience was slightly different from others, as I participated in both the Universal Design Hub and the scholarship program. But the scholarship alone would give you an intensive introduction to Universal Design.”