Professional background
After completing my master’s at the University of Strathclyde in 2017, I went into the Architecture profession working as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant for a small residential firm. Shortly afterwards, my master’s supervisor contacted me about a research opportunity that arose within the Architecture Department, a PhD focusing on documenting and evaluating the new Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice (PPWH) purpose-built palliative care facility in Glasgow. Throughout my research journey I have worked in close collaboration with the PPWH, being part of a research group set up to facilitate the project and being involved with their own internal research group. I have engaged with key stakeholders throughout the organisation; from management, staff and volunteers to patients and families. Employing a number of quantitative and qualitative research methods, from; semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to environmental monitoring tools.
Education
University of Strathclyde 2018-Present PhD: Architecture
University of Strathclyde & 2016-2017 MArch Distinction: Advanced Architectural Design
Universidad Católica, Chile
University of Strathclyde 2011-2016 First Class BSc (Hons): Architectural Studies
City of Glasgow College 2009-2011 HND: 3D Interior Design (A)
Academic Research
Dissertation, University of Strathclyde: ‘Design for Dementia Care. Reimagining the traditional care home model to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of patients with dementia, their carers and families’
Master’s Thesis, University of Strathclyde: ‘Health, happiness, density: Mental Illness in the Urban Environment and The Biophilic Cure’
Skills & Experience
Research experience:
- Engagement with stakeholders
- Research methods: Conducting interviews, focus groups and questionnaires (both online and in-person)
- Producing systematic literature reviews
- Gaining ethical approval
- Research integrity
- Academic and non-academic presentations
- Academic and non-academic dissemination
- Report structuring and writing
- Producing comprehensive project protocols
- Funding applications
- Networking
- Teaching and mentoring
Software Skills:
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word. Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher)
- SPSS
- NVivo
- Qualtrics (online surveys)
- Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- Sketchup
Other Skills:
- Driving License
- Problem Solving
- Analytical
- Creative
University Teaching 2019- Present
Throughout my PhD, I have been involved with informal and formal teaching. My primary teaching role is being part of the tutor team for First Year, a role I began in Semester 1 of the 2019/2020 teaching session. The studio project I had the most involvement with was a live build; guiding students while they; designed, presented their work, collaborated, tested prototypes and built a final group design.
I am currently a mentor for students within the Master’s programme run within the department. So far, the activities I have undertaken are marking student’s essays for their Cultural Studies class and providing written feedback on their master’s proposal. I will continue to mentor these students throughout Semester 2, which will involve; monthly meetings, providing feedback on written work and offering guidance as and when required in relation to structure, content and referencing.
My industry experience
Karen Parry Architect 2017-Present Part 2 Architectural Assistant
I have been working as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant at Karen Parry Architect’s since completing my Masters in 2017, now on a part-time basis of 1-2 days a week. The majority of our work consists of domestic residential projects, working collaboratively with our clients to improve their homes through creative planning and design. I have been involved throughout all project stages; from inception to determine client requirements and brief production at Stage 0/1 to the final project handover at Stage 6. I work closely with my director Karen Parry and colleagues to ensure projects are being delivered to the highest quality. We frequently use AutoCAD, Sketchup and Microsoft Office Suite, in which I am proficient. Due to my analytical and research skills I have also developed a good working knowledge of the planning and building warrant process including local and national guidance, planning principles and domestic Scottish building regulations. I often liaise with the council on different aspects of the projects and have developed good professional communication and negotiation skills.
When I started at the practice it was a small team but we have since grown in size, which presented an opportunity for me to get involved with developing and streamlining workplace processes. This included; producing procedural documents with step-by-step guidance on each project stage and signposting to appropriate resources. I enjoy continually learning through the office CPDs from external companies and teaching and sharing my skills and experience with others, so we are all working to our full potential.
Sondh Associates 2014-2015 Part 1 Architectural Assistant
At Sondh Associates I worked on a variety of projects from private homes to residential care homes and worked closely with councils, government bodies, the Care Inspectorate and the design team. I was worked on new built care homes, as well as refurbishments and extensions to existing care homes. I have been involved in the initial design stages right through to the construction phase of projects. I was in charge of setting up an account on the Planning Portal website and have completed many applications and drawings for submission. I have a good knowledge of current building regulations and guidelines, as I spent a lot of time completing Building Warrant applications.
Liaising closely with clients helped to build a trust, emailing or calling to keep them updated on the progress of their project. We often altered designs based on their requirements, while continually making suggestions that would enhance the spaces.
My research interests
Throughout my time at the University of Strathclyde I have explored various research interests within my dissertation, master’s thesis and currently within my PhD. Our rapidly aging population and medical technological advancements means we need to address complex health issues and focus on designing for inclusivity, to create a sustainable and accessible world. The overarching theme of my research relates to these areas by producing recommendations and guidance that offer solutions to addressing current societal issues.
PhD 2018 – 2021
Prior to being involved within this project, I had no experience of researching within a clinical environment. I took time to understand the palliative care environment by reaching out to internal contacts within the PPWH and following up with external connections they had with other researchers. To further build my evidence base, I conducted informal ethnography within the existing facility and researched into the field of palliative care research. So far I have produced a report for the PPWH on the old facility and I am currently working on reports which provide preliminary findings for the new facility and experience of the transition to the new facility.
Figure 1. Wellbeing Framework. Diagram showing the categories that the building is being analysed against within the pre- and post-occupancy evaluations.
Figure 2. Flowchart showing the methodology used within the pre- and post-occupancy evaluations.
Master’s thesis 2017
My 5th year master’s thesis explored how the incorporation of nature within urban environments could improve our mental health and wellbeing. Investigation into evidence-based design, biophilia and ecotherapy provided the groundwork for this thesis. Case studies which highlighted the benefits of nature within urban environments further informed the conclusion and recommendations. Benefits of incorporating nature within urban environments showed to have stress-reducing and restorative properties; that promote positive wellbeing and increase opportunity for physical exercise and social interaction. This thesis allowed me to develop and hone my research skills and expanded my knowledge of accessing and referencing academic resources.
Dissertation 2015-2016
My 4th year dissertation explored designing accessible care facilities for people with dementia. The methodology comprised; analysing a series of exemplary dementia care facilities against pre-defined criteria, established within the literature review. I visited one of the innovative facilities in the Netherlands, De Hogeweyk, a specially design ‘dementia village’. A facility set out like a village which established small groups of homes in an integrated urban fabric of streets, squares and gardens; allowing residents to wander around safely but having a feeling of being part of a wider community. One chapter explored inclusive neighbourhood design to see if I could apply these design principles to dementia care facilities. The conclusion formed a list of good practice guidance for designing dementia friendly facilities.
Presentations and Publications
Presented at SALUS – Conference European Healthcare Design 2021: The influence of design on wellbeing within the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice https://europeanhealthcaredesign.salus.global/conference-show/european-healthcare-design-2016
Paper in progress: The influence of design on wellbeing within the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Other Publications: Involved with internal CPDs within the PPWH to provide updates and progress reports.
Research Output available at: https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/joanne-kinloch
Contact details
Joanne Kinloch
MArch Advanced Architectural Design
Postgraduate Researcher
University of Strathclyde
Department of Architecture
Level 3, James Weir Building
75 Montrose Street
Glasgow
G1 1XJ
Joanne Kinloch 