2021 celebrated 12 years of the impactful partnership between the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and the University of Technology Sydney through the research initiative Designing Out Crime. For the last 12 years this partnership demonstrated value on key issues in line with the NSW Premier’s priorities. During the period 2009-2021 Designing Out Crime undertook over 200 design research projects as well as 100 teaching studios in areas that included crime prevention, justice processes, secure environments, child protection, domestic violence and safety in public places.
Designing Out Crime utilised the skill of researchers from a variety of backgrounds including architecture, criminology, psychology, anthropology and visual communications to approach crime prevention in novel ways. Using a design methodology known as Frame Creation the researchers focused not solely on creative problem solving but on problem reframing. This process is a breakthrough way of realising that the way problems arise can often conceal or obstruct pathways to much needed systemic change. By viewing crime problems through new frames, opportunities for innovative solutions emerged.
Recently, Designing Out Crime was featured on the Architecture Off-Centre podcast. Architecture Off-Centre highlights unconventional design practices and research projects, which reflect various emerging discourses within the design discipline and beyond. Hosted by architect Vaissnavi Shukl, the podcast features engaging conversations with creative individuals, who, in their practice, have extended the traditional fields of architecture, planning, landscape and urban design to unexplored frontiers. The episode on June 3rd 2022 featured Dr Lindsay Asquith, Senior Lecturer in the School of Design, reflecting on the Centre’s approach and how design can affect behavioural change.
Listen to the Architecture Off Centre podcast.
