To redesign an underutilised outdoor space on a stroke rehabilitation ward to improve therapeutic opportunities and social connection, supporting wellbeing and recovery for people with stroke and other neurological conditions.
A co-design approach guided by the Double Diamond framework was used to redesign an 85m², first-floor balcony on a 32-bed neurological rehabilitation ward. Current balcony use was observed via behavioural mapping during a three-day discovery phase. Staff(n=4), former patients(n=4) and family members(n=2) participated in three face-to-face workshops to define the purpose of the outdoor balcony and develop environmental and operational changes needed to support use. Workshops were informed by the InFoLIA framework for growing nature connection in stroke rehabilitation.
Twenty-eight percent of patients accessed the current balcony during the observation period, and visits were brief (median duration 20 minutes), indicating limited engagement with the space.
Four themes were identified from the workshops as critical to activating the space: (1)restoration through living nature; (2)environment that facilitates social gathering; (3)design features that signal welcome, safety and easy access; and (4)supported therapy activities. Proposed environmental features included outdoor exercise equipment, accessible seating, wheelchair‑friendly planter boxes, a barbeque, a colourful wall mural, and automated doors, alongside supported therapy and orientation to the balcony on admission to support use.
Co-design with consumers and clinicians added significant value by identifying priorities for how outdoor spaces are used in stroke rehabilitation, ensuring the final design, delivery and implementation aligned with end‑user needs. Future behavioural mapping will evaluate the post-implementation effects on patient use.