Center for Design and Health
HUMAN-CENTRED
EVIDENCE-BASED
We put people, in all their diversity, front and centre.
We base our work on scienti c ndings.
PARTICIPATIVE ITERATIVE
We bring all stakeholders on board right at the start.
Step by step, we draw closer to solutions.
Annual Report 2023
B C D E F G H I J K
GENDER-SENSITIVE LANGUAGE
The SCDH is committed to using gender-sensitive language. Gender-sensitive language depicts all persons on an equal basis, regardless of their biological sex or gender identity.
IMPRESSUM
Concept and content: SCDH
Photos: Ramon Lehmann, SCDH
Perspective: Hahn + Zimmermann GmbH, Bern
Graphics and layout: Base Design, Geneva
Lithography: Roger Emmenegger,
Datatype LS SA, Lausanne
Copy editing and translation: wordup GmbH, Nidau
Printing : Ediprim AG, Biel/Bienne
Font : GT Haptik
Paper : Z-O set 120 g/m2 and Algro Duo Design 610 g/m2
CO₂ emissions associated with production of this annual report were offset through MyClimate.
CONTACT
SCDH, Communication and Marketing, Ipsachstrasse 16, 2560 Nidau, info@scdh.ch, scdh.ch
Stefan Sulzer Sebastian Wörwag
STEFAN SULZER Managing Director
SEBASTIAN WÖRWAG Chair of the Board of Directors
A dictionary de nition of ‘ success ’ might be ‘ favourable outcome of an undertaking ’ or ‘ achieving the results wanted or hoped for ’.
By these de nitions, the SCDH can describe 2023 as a successful year. Looking back over the past twelve months, two things in particular spring to mind : that it is remarkable how much can t into a single year, and that it is great to see our big projects being met with equally ‘ big ’ interest and having the desired e ects.
The SCDH carried out a wide variety of projects in 2023, ranging from assessing a website with respect to its user friendliness, to supporting the development of an intergenerational palliative care centre, right through to evaluating the building plans for a new outpatient clinic. Some of these projects were realised in our living lab, others on the premises of our project partners. Some were conducted for clients ; some were conducted as collaborative research. They all had one thing in common, though : the aim of using evidence-based design to improve health. We exchanged knowledge and experience relating to this aim with professionals from Switzerland and around the world last year as well : for instance, by hosting a symposium entitled ‘ Design and Health – Practice, Research and Social Relevance ’, attending national and international conferences and hosting two visiting professors. We welcomed numerous visitors, made new contacts and expanded our network of partners. In June, we submitted our application for funding as a research facility of national importance for the 2025–2028 period to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, SERI.
We also continued throughout the entire year to build up our infrastructure in Nidau, near Biel / Bienne, in accordance with the mandate of the Federal Government and of the Canton of Bern, sharpened our focus on key areas of activity and o erings, developed a new corporate design and strengthened our corporate identity.
In short : plans became reality in 2023. ‘ Success has many fathers ’, the saying goes, but this success at the SCDH had, above all, many faces. The face of a carpenter, a neuroscientist, an industrial designer, IT specialist, architect, product designer, interior architect, biologist or economist and more. To no small extent, it is this mix of expertise that makes the SCDH a unique centre of excellence for design research in the health sector.
This annual report provides a look back over the year of 2023 and a look inside the SCDH. We would, of course, be delighted to hear back from you – whether by e-mail, in a phone call or in person during a visit –there are many opportunities to exchange knowledge and experience, to begin or strengthen a partnership.
SWISS CENTER FOR DESIGN AND HEALTH
Areas of activity
USPs
Visual communications
Objects and environment
Systems and processes
The Swiss Center for Design and Health, SCDH, is Switzerland’s only centre of technological excellence for design research in the health sector. The SCDH researches and develops design solutions and standards that promote good health in three areas of activity : ‘ Visual communication ’, ‘ Objects and environment ’ and ‘ Systems and processes ’. The SCDH provides services, enters into research collaborations and o ers professional development workshops and seminars. For clients from industry, scienti c institutions and organisations and the public sector, it provides analyses, consultancy, simulation and co-prototyping, as well as access to a unique infrastructure and an international network of experts. Established in 2019 as a public-private partnership, the SCDH is funded by the federal government, the Canton of Bern and private partners. It has 25 employees ( 18.5 full-time equivalents ) and is based in Nidau near Biel / Bienne.
We guarantee design that supports health.
THEMATIC ORIENTATION
WE WORK IN THE SPACES WHERE DESIGN MEETS HEALTH.
APPROACH
OUR APPROACH IS HUMANCENTERED, PARTICIPATIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED AND ITERATIVE.
The SCDH understands design as the creation of spaces, settings, objects, information, guidance systems and digital solutions as well as of services and processes. Health is a personal and societal value that is constantly changing. The focus is on the autonomy of individuals and the common good. The overlap between design and health is large and the aim within it is twofold : to have a positive impact on patients and those close to them and the sta in hospitals and other health institutions and to promote health in daily life in the workplace and outside of it, including in public spaces.
The SCDH puts people and their needs front and centre, makes all stakeholders part of the process right from the start, bases its work on scienti c ndings and gradually draws closer to solutions.
INFRASTRUCTURE
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
WE MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO CO-PROTOTYPE, SIMULATE AND TEST ON A 1:1 SCALE.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY ARE PART OF THE SCDH.
The SCDH possesses an infrastructure that is unique in Europe and is equipped with the latest technologies. Architecture, products, processes and materials can be tested on a variety of platforms under highly realistic conditions in the SCDH’s 2,500 m 2 Living Lab. Factors such as light, colour, acoustics, haptics can be measured, tested and standardised. Simulation and co-prototyping help detect and avoid planning errors early on, optimise processes and enhance the level of acceptance for new spaces, products and services.
Representatives of the private sector, the scienti c community and society are tied into the structure of the SCDH through its shareholder base, its board of directors and its other boards and partnerships. This ensures that all projects are of relevance and guarantees the transfer of knowledge and technology. This structure enables the SCDH to create economically and socially useful innovations. The SCDH is independent and free from con icts of interest. It neither sells products of its own design nor acts as an agent for the products of others.
FOUR QUESTIONS FOR …
Dr. Minou Afzali
Head of Research, SCDH
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MS AFZALI, WHO ARE YOU ?
WHAT DOES A SATISFYING DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU ?
IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT THE SCDH THAT YOU PARTICULARLY TREASURE ?
HOW DO YOU ENVISAGE THE SCDH OF TEN YEARS FROM NOW ?
‘ The participants’ feedback shows us how important it is to get the users involved early on. ’
Dr. Minou Afzali
MS AFZALI, WHO ARE YOU ?
WHAT DOES A SATISFYING DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU ?
I lived in Teheran until I was seven, when my family and I moved to Germany. After completing my basic training at the Basel School of Design, I studied product design at the University of Art and Design in O enbach. As part of my studies there, I developed a mobile toilet to be used in connection with in-home care services. After graduating, I worked at prestigious design agencies in Winterthur and Zurich. I earned a doctorate in the eld of design and health from the University of Bern and served as a professor for social design at the Bern University of Applied Sciences. That was when some of my colleagues and I began to envisage a hospital unit where one could conduct research with the involvement of everyone who used the unit. At the SCDH, this vision has become a reality. Having taken over as head of research in 2022, I am responsible for research collaborations between the SCDH and universities of applied sciences and partners from industry and the public sector. I live in the ‘ Breitsch ’, the loveliest quarter of Bern, with my husband, our two sons and our cat.
I get to Nidau in the morning and go into the Living Lab. There, my team and I prepare the workshop that will take place that afternoon. We project the architectural plan of a new hospital onto the oor of the Extended-Reality Simulation Area. We use lightweight construction walls to recreate the walls. A 1:1 model of the new hospital ward comes into being in the SCDH’s Living Lab. Mock-ups for the furnishings have been created ahead of time by our workshop team. After the midday break, we greet the team from the hospital, which is made up of nurses, doctors, patients, architects and builders. Together, we test the architectural plans by simulating routine care and treatment processes. I act as a facilitator, taking the participants through the individual scenarios that we have prepared over the preceding days. My team observes and takes notes. After each scenario, the entire group comes together and talks about anything that struck people as strange or not quite right. The participants’ feedback shows us how important it is to get the users involved early on, and it also reveals how much they appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the planning. So far, we have never tested a oor plan that couldn’t be improved upon. After the workshop, I go home with a feeling of satisfaction, because we have been able to make a small contribution towards improving the health system through our work.
IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT THE SCDH THAT YOU PARTICULARLY TREASURE ?
HOW DO YOU ENVISAGE THE SCDH OF TEN YEARS FROM NOW ?
One thing I really treasure about the SCDH is that, through our work, we contribute to the understanding that design is about more than just the design of surfaces, that it is also about the design of interactions between human beings and their environments. And that we bring knowledge from very di erent disciplines together. I am convinced that this, this pooling of knowledge, is the key to meeting the challenges the health sector faces. Whether the project is to design a new hospital or an inclusive signage system or a new health app : at the SCDH, we bring together the expertise that is needed.
In 2034, the SCDH will be recognized internationally as the centre for design research in the health sector. We will be able to look back on numerous innovative projects with a wide variety of partners. Our conferences, training events, lectures and other public events will be attended by the wider public, professionals, decisionmakers, researchers and users. Nidau will be the place where everybody experiences and helps to shape the in uence that design has on health and well-being.
THE YEAR 2023
January 2023
EDecember 2023
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Feb. Mar.
02 / 23
BIEL / BIENNE MAYOR ERICH FEHR
VISITS THE SCDH
Through discussions on the further development of the urban Biel / Bienne region and a tour of the SCDH’s Living Lab, Erich Fehr gains insight into the national centre of technological excellence based in his neighbourhood and its potential.
03 / 23
LAUNCH OF THE LARGEST EXTENDED-REALITY SIMULATION AREA IN SWITZERLAND
Plans for new buildings or conversions of existing structures can be projected on a 1:1 scale and tested in the SCDH’s ExtendedReality Simulation Area, enabling patients, sta and other users to feel as comfortable as possible and get involved in the planning process early on. → Photo 14
OASE.KLEINBASEL : DESIGN AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERGENERATIONAL CENTRE FOR PALLIATIVE CARE AND SUPPORTS
Children’s hospice, care facility, residence – the intergenerational centre is envisaged as a place where people of all ages and with a variety of support needs can receive temporary or long-term forms of professional support and guidance. In a workshop, the SCDH’s experts and the Bern University of Applied Sciences gather information about the needs of the centre’s future users.
LINKING COGNITION AND ARCHITECTURE : CO-DESIGNING WITH EVIDENCE FOR HUMAN-CENTRED HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS
Presentation of the results of research on the architecture of hospital emergency departments conducted by ETH Zurich in the ExtendedReality Simulation Area in the Living Lab and their evaluation by participants and students using pre-set scenarios.
April May
04 / 23
ONKOLOGIKA.CH USER ANALYSIS
What does a user-friendly website look like ? With this question in mind, experts from the SCDH, the Academic Society ( AFG ) of Oncology Nursing, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, the Insel Gruppe network of hospitals and the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen evaluate the website of the Swiss professional association for oncology nursing, Onkologiep ege Schweiz. In line with the SCDH’s participative approach, users from a variety of care settings and regions of Switzerland are involved in the evaluation.
05 / 23
1st VISITING PROFESSOR AT SCDH
Nora Colman, MD, is an assistant professor of paediatrics at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Her research focus : the interface of architecture, processes and patient safety. Her method : simulation. We are delighted to welcome Nora Colman to the SCDH as its rst visiting professor.
TELEVISION NEWS MAGAZINE
‘ SCHWEIZ AKTUELL ’ REPORTS FROM THE SCDH
Reporter Oceana Calmarini, accompanied by Stefan Sulzer, the SCDH’s managing director, and Kristian Schneider, Director of Spitalzentrum Biel, crosses the Extended-Reality Simulation Area to a testing space in the Living Lab. Cameras capture the scenes and conversations.
‘ Schweiz Aktuell ’ broadcasts live from the SCDH on 17 May.
PRESENCE IN THE EUROPEAN HEALTHCARE DESIGN CONFERENCE
The SCDH and Bern University of Applied Sciences are represented in the global conference in London with a talk on the dementia-friendly patient room and a poster contribution about the Extended-Reality Simulation Area.
BERN CANTONAL GOVERNMENT’S CHRISTOPH AMMANN VISITS SCDH
‘ I am convinced of the signi cance of the Swiss Center for Design and Health for the Canton of Bern as a centre of innovation and for Switzerland, ’ says Christoph Ammann, a member of the Bern Cantonal Government and head of the Canton’s economic department, after a tour through the Living Lab and the panel discussion with executive management and researchers of the SCDH. → Photo 6
June July Sept.
06 / 23
OPENING OF THE REALISTIC TESTING SPACES
The SCDH and its partners Création Baumann AG and Forbo Flooring Systems AG invite visitors into the Living Lab in Nidau, where they present the realistic testing spaces room to around 100 attendees. This space can be used to design, furnish and test spaces, e.g. for hospitals or care facilities. → Photos 2 and 10
07 / 23
INAUGURAL ‘ CITY OF LONGEVITY ’ GLOBAL CONFERENCE
A new paradigm for cities in a society of longevity. City of Longevity is both a concept and a toolkit for cities seeking to develop measures that will help their residents lead longer and healthier lives. The SCDH attends the inaugural conference in Newcastle on 6 July, becoming the rst Swiss City of Longevity partner.
SYMPOSIUM : DESIGN AND HEALTH – PRACTICE, RESEARCH AND SOCIAL RELEVANCE
Talks, workshops, public lectures and exciting discussions : from 10 to 12 July, the SCDH hosts the symposium ‘ Design and Health – Practice, Research and Social Relevance ’ in conjunction with the fth meeting of its International Advisory Board. → Photo 7
09 / 23
SIMULATION WORKSHOP : NEW CONSTRUCTION OF OUTPATIENT CLINIC ; BÜLACH HOSPITAL
With the help of projections, lightweight construction walls and context-speci c furnishings and mock-ups, the team from the hospital, the architect responsible and the SCDH’s experts evaluate the oor plan for the new outpatient clinic in the Extended-Reality Simulation Area. The objective : to identify architectural and construction challenges for patient safety and for the smooth ow of work and care services and to avoid construction errors.
→ Photos 3, 4 and 13
Oct. Nov. Dec.
PUBLIC TOUR
The SCDH opens its doors to members of the interested public, introducing itself and o ering visitors a look at its activities and the Living Lab. → Photo 5
HOW DOES PROTOTYPING LEAD TO BETTER SOLUTIONS IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, TRANSPORT AND SPORTS ?
– JOINT EVENT BY LERNETZ AND SCDH
From the imagination to reality – prototypes render the abstract concrete, transforming an idea into something that is visible, tangible, testable and capable of being experienced. They are an excellent means of conveying concept ideas, testing hypotheses and obtaining instant feedback from future users. With workshops, a panel discussion and the presentation of LerNetz’s and SCDH’s o erings, invited guests gain a better understanding of how prototyping results in better solutions and can experience prototyping in the form of concrete examples. → Photos 11 and 12
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT : HOSPITAL DESIGN AND PATIENT SAFETY
The design of health facilities has a substantial in uence on patient safety. In the virtual workshop, Nora Colman, MD, an assistant professor of paediatrics at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, o ers an insight into how evidence-based design principles promote safety, e cient work ows and a healing environment. → Photo 8
SECOND VISITING PROFESSOR AT SCDH
Dr Nirit Pilosof is the head of research in innovation and transformation at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel. She joined the SCDH as a visiting professor from 27 to 30 November. In her focus : the smart hospital of the future, telemedicine and new hybrid models in the health system.
→ Photo 1
INPUT ON HEALTH-PROMOTING ARCHITECTURE FOR REHAKLINIK HASLIBERG
In preparation for the refurbishment and new construction work to be undertaken at Rehaklinik Hasliberg, a team of employees from the rehabilitation clinic joined the SCDH on a visit to the tried and tested building of the rehabilitation centre in Basel designed by Herzog & de Meuron. The employees then receive information and training on health-promoting architecture it at the SCDH’s Living Lab. → Photo 9
LECTURE AS PART OF UNIVERSITY OF BERN LECTURE SERIES
‘ What is health ? ’ is the theme of the interdisciplinary lecture series of the University of Bern for the autumn semester of 2023. Dr Minou Afzali, the SCDH’s head of research and Dr Tobias Meyer of the centre University Geriatric Medicine FELIX PLATTER, speak about design for older persons.
PROJECTS
Scienti c partners Business partners
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PROJECTS WITH INDUSTRIAL AND SCIENTIFIC PARTNERS
INPUT ON HEALTH-PROMOTING ARCHITECTURE FOR REHAKLINIK HASLIBERG
Workshop with inputs and best-practice examples ( in-situ ) in the eld of evidence-based architecture
2023
Involved : SCDH
Funding : Michel Gruppe AG
SIMULATION WORKSHOPS : SURGICAL UNIT, BÜLACH HOSPITAL
Simulation workshops to evaluate the oor plan for the hospital’s surgical unit in the Extended-Reality Simulation Area
2023
Involved : SCDH
Funding : Bülach Hospital AG
SIMULATION WORKSHOPS ON NEW CONSTRUCTION OF OUTPATIENT CLINIC, BÜLACH
HOSPITAL
Simulation workshops to evaluate the oor plans for the hospital’s surgical, endoscopy and day-care units and a standard oor in the Extended-Reality Simulation Area
NEXPO PROTOTYPE
Development of a prototype for seating and presentation furniture for the launch of a national exhibition concept ; consulting and realisation of the prototype
2023
Involved : SCDH
Funding : Bülach Hospital AG
2023
Involved : Gerhard Gerber Design, Krauthammer & Partner, SCDH
Funding : Verein Nexpo – die neue Expo, c / o Swiss Union of Cities and Towns
VISIT TO MEDIN ( HEALTH CENTRE ), BIEL / BIENNE
Evaluation of the oor plans and spatial layout of the planned new outpatient clinic using the Extended-Reality Simulation Area
SURVEY TOOL WISE
Recommendations on improving the design of WISE, the survey tool of the interdisciplinary pain clinic at the Center for Dental Medicine, University of Zurich.
2023
Involved : SCDH
Funding : MEDIN Biel / Bienne
2023
Involved : SCDH
Funding : Center for Dental Medicine, University of Zurich
OASE.KLEINBASEL : DESIGN AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERGENERATIONAL CENTRE FOR PALLIATIVE CARE AND SUPPORT
Workshop to collect information on user needs
2023
Involved : dandelion P egezentrum für Menschen mit Demenz ( dementia care centre ) ; Verein Mehr Leben ( association ) ; Department of Health and Department of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering, Bern University of Applied Sciences ; SCDH
Funding : dandelion P egezentrum für Menschen mit Demenz
USER ANALYSIS ONKOLOGIKA.CH
Evaluation of the level of user-friendliness of the website of Fachverband für Onkologiep ege Schweiz ( the Swiss professional association for oncology nursing ) with involvement of all users in the di erent care settings and regions of Switzerland
2023
Involved : Fribourg University of Applied Sciences ; Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences ; Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern ; Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen, Onkologiep ege Schweiz, SCDH
Funding : Onkologiep ege Schweiz
CAMPUS PROJECT, BERN UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Simulation and presentation of the campus project of the Bern University of Applied Sciences in Biel / Bienne using the Extended-Reality Simulation Area
2023
Involved : Bern University of Applied Sciences, SCDH Funding : O ce for Land and Buildings, Department of Planning and Transport, Canton Bern
LINKING COGNITION AND ARCHITECTURE : CO-DESIGNING WITH EVIDENCE FOR HUMAN-CENTRED HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS
Co-creation workshop in the Extended-Reality Simulation Area
QUEERING HEALTHY PUBLIC SPACES
Optimisation of urban planning processes through the involvement of members of the LGBTQIA+ community with the aim of improving public health
2023
Involved : ETH Zürich, Cambridge School of Architecture, SCDH
Funding : ETH Zürich
2022-2023
Involved : Bern Academy of the Arts, Bern University of Applied Sciences ; Department of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering, Bern University of Applied Sciences ; UNSW Australia Research Centre for Primary Health Care & Equity, SCDH Funding : Bern University of Applied Sciences
THE YEAR IN NUMBERS
Facts
Statistics
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Employees
Full-time equivalents : 18.5
25 individuals
1 person in joint position with the charitable foundation
Stiftung Dammweg
1 person employed at the Bern University of Applied Sciences / Bern Academy of the Arts
Professional background of employees
Architecture / Interior architecture : 2
Business / Economics : 3
Other : 6
Design / Art : 9
Social sciences : 2
Natural sciences : 2
Data science : 1
With business partners : 9
Competitive grant applications : 13
With competitive grant funding : 1
Scholarly works supported
Master’s theses : 7
Bachelor’s theses : 3
Postdoc projects : 1
Term papers : 1
PhD theses : 4
Professional development
Visiting professorships hosted : 2
Professional development o erings : 2
Events in the area of design and health
Opportunities to tour the SCDH : 2
Meetings of the International Advisory Board : 2
Symposiums : 2
Events with partners : 3
At the SCDH
Book presentation : 1
Visits : 46
Book presentations : 1
Public lectures : 6
Visits : 28
Conferences : 23
External
Collaborations
Infrastructure
Living Lab : 2500 m2
Extended-Reality Simulation
Area : 560 m2
Realistic testing spaces : 300 m2
Office Space : 800 m2
Workshops : 1000 m2
CNC : 40 m2
Office : 40 m2
Textiles : 40 m2
Open space : 220 m2
Metal : 240 m2
Wood : 240 m2
Print 3D : 40 m2
Print 2D : 40 m2
PORTFOLIO
Areas of activity O erings
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With wide-ranging expertise, the SCDH supports clients from industry and scienti c institutions and the public sector. Our activities are focussed on three areas : ‘ Visual Communication ’, ‘ Objects and Environment ’ and ‘ Systems and Processes ’. In all three areas, we o er analysis, consulting, simulation and co-prototyping – either in the form of contracted services or within the context of research collaboration with funding awarded in a competitive process. We also o er professional development opportunities. We use our platforms as needed and depending on the question being addressed. Projects can be realised in the SCDH’s Living Lab, on our clients’ premises or in digital form. Our approach is always the same : humancentred, evidence-based, participative and iterative. Making contact is the rst step toward collaboration. Reach out and get to know us. We look forward to meeting you.
AREAS OF ACTIVITY
VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
Signage and guidance systems
Information design
Interaction design
OFFERINGS
PLATFORMS
ANALYSIS
OBJECTS AND ENVIRONMENT
Architecture, interior architecure
Urban planning, public spaces
Product design
SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES
Service Design Organisation design
CONSULTANCY
APPROACH
SIMULATION AND CO-PROTOTYPING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES AND RESEARCH COLLABORATION
LIVING LAB
WORKSHOPS
TEACHING AND SERVICES
Extended-Reality Simulation Area
Realistic testing spaces (mock-up rooms, operating theatre, etc.) Testing systems (accessibility, material, colour, light, acoustics, etc.)
MATERIALS COLLECTION
HUMAN-CENTRED
EVIDENCE-BASED
PARTICIPATIVE ITERATIVE
RENTAL
Living Lab (reception area, hall) Workshops (open space) Office space (offices, co-working spaces, seminar and meeting rooms)
FINANCES I
Balance sheet Income statement
The annual accounts were prepared in accordance with the Swiss GAAP FER accounting standards ( core FER ). The federal government and the Canton of Bern have charged the SCDH with developing its operations through the end of the funding period ( 2021–2024 ). The nancial year was shaped by the pursuit of this objective, as the SCDH engaged in strong investment activity and continued to build up the necessary sta of personnel, thus incurring the associated operating expenses.
The rst phase of the expansion and conversion project at the SCDH premises in Nidau was completed from an accounting perspective at the start of the year. This was followed by construction in the workshop area, with the wood, metal and CNC machining shop, as well as the ‘ open space ’. The second and nal conversion phase began in August. This phase involves further construction work on the Living Lab, the infrastructure for knowledge and technology transfer and the conference and o ce spaces.
The income statement continues to re ect the recognition and separate presentation of subsidies. The federal and cantonal subsidies under discussion are presented in the annual accounts in line with Swiss GAAP FER 28. Thus, subsidies are recognised as income over the period in which the corresponding expenses are incurred. In general, subsidies deferred as of 31 December 2023 will be recognised on or before 31 December 2024. In the case of investments,
subsidies are recognised as income over the useful life of the investment goods. This produces a balanced result for the reporting year. Moreover, the SCDH was able to generate its rst signi cant revenue in the area of services and research collaborations. The revenue is associated with the use of the research infrastructure.
Further developing operations requires a larger sta , and the increase in personnel expenses re ects this enlargement. In addition to the creation of subsidies provisions, the operating expenses are re ective of the on-site operating expenses and increase in communication and marketing activities.
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 ( with prior year comparison )
2023 INCOME STATEMENT
( with prior year comparison )
2023 INCOME STATEMENT
( with prior year comparison )
Carried over : earnings before Earnings / loss before interest and taxes ( EBIT )
ORGANISATION
Team Network
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PROF. DR. ARNE SCHEUERMANN
Management / Scienti c Director
STEFAN SULZER
Management / Managing Director
DR. MINOU AFZALI
Extended Management / Head of Research
DR. JAN ECKERT
Extended Management /
Deputy Managing Director / Head of Living Lab
ANKE GARCIA BARROS
Extended Management / Head of People and Culture
KLAUS-MARTIN GAREIS
Extended Management / Head of Operations and ICT
RAPHAEL HUBER
Extended Management / Co-Head of Workshops
HOLGER LITZENBURGER
Extended Management / Head of Business and Finance
JÉRÔME RÜTSCHE
Extended Management / Co-Head of Workshops
YVONNE UHLIG
Extended Management /
Head of Communication and Marketing
URS BERNET
Research / Professional Development
VIVIANE BURKHALTER
Executive Assistant, Executive Management
DR. NAÏG CHENAIS Research
DR. MONIKA CODOUREY
Living Lab / Healthcare Structures
MICHAEL CONRAD
Living Lab / Data Science and Machine Learning
PATRIZIA EGLOFF
People and Culture / Hospitality
LEN GYGAX
Communication and Marketing / Student Assistant
RAHEL INAUEN
Research
MICHAELA KOCH
Assistant to Extended Executive Management
RAMON LEHMANN
Communication and Marketing
DOMINIC MÜLLER
ICT / Support
LENA SUNIER
Business and Finances / Business Development
MAGDALENA TOMOFF
Living Lab / Student Assistant
ANJA WALKER
Communication and Marketing
DAVID WOLLSCHLEGEL
Living Lab / Interaction Design
ROGER ZIMMERMANN Workshops / Metal workshop
Everyone should be able to live in an environment that bene ts their health.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROF. DR. DR. THOMAS ABEL
University of Bern / Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine / Health / Professor Emeritus
DR. PAULA ADOMEIT
Insel Gruppe AG / Department of Nursing / Director
ADÈLE THORENS GOUMAZ
HEIG-VD ( School of Engineering and Management ) / Professor, Member of the Council of States
SCIENTIFIC BOARD
PROF. DR. DR. THOMAS ABEL
University of Bern / Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine / Health / Professor Emeritus
DR. MINOU AFZALI
SCDH / Head of Research
PROF. DR. MED. DR. H.C.
DANIEL CANDINAS
Inselspital, Bern University Hospital / Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine / Director / Chief Physician for Visceral and Transplant Surgery
PROF. DR. MED. ARISTOMENIS EXADAKTYLOS
Inselspital, Bern University Hospital / Emergency Department / Director and Chief Physician
PROF. WILLIAM FUHRER
Bern University of Applied Sciences / Department of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering / Head of competence area Dencity / Professor of Urban Development and Mobility
DR. KATE MOLESWORTH
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute / Health and Social Development Adviser
ANDRÉ NIETLISBACH
Canton of Bern / Department of Economic A airs, Energy and the Environment / Secretary General
DANIELLE QUAILE Girsberger Holding AG / CEO
PROF. DR. ARNE SCHEUERMANN
Bern University of Applied Sciences / Academy of the Arts / Institute of Design Research / Head
PROF. DR. SEBASTIAN WÖRWAG ( CHAIR )
Bern University of Applied Sciences / President
PROF. DR. SABINE HAHN
Bern University of Applied Sciences / School of Health Professions / Head of Department of Nursing / Head of Applied Research and Development – Nursing
PROF. DR. DEANE HARDER
Bern University of Applied Sciences / Business School / Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship / Lecturer
PROF. DR. SANG-IL KIM
Bern University of Applied Sciences / School of Engineering and Computer Science / Institute I4MI / Co-Head
PROF. MICHAEL LEHMANN
Bern University of Applied Sciences / School of Engineering and Computer Science / Medical Informatics / Professor of Medical Informatics
DR. JULIA REHSMANN
Bern University of Applied Sciences / School of Health Professions / Institute of Social Anthropology / Research associate
PROF. DR. ARNE SCHEUERMANN
Bern University of Applied Sciences / Academy of the Arts / Institute of Design Research / Head
PROF. DR. MPH DAVID SCHWAPPBACH
University of Bern / Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine / Professor of Patient Safety
PROF. DR. SABINE STRASSER
University of Bern / Institute of Social Anthropology / Director
PROF. DR. BORIS SZÉLPAL
Bern University of Applied Sciences / Department of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering / Professor of Architecture and Planning
PROF. DR. KIM OLIVER TOKARSKI
Bern University of Applied Sciences / Continuing Education Division / Head
PROF. DR. KLAZINE VAN DER HORST
Bern University of Applied Sciences / School of Health Professions / Director
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
PROF. JORGE FRASCARA University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada / Professor Emeritus
PROF. ANJALI JOSEPH, PHD
Clemson University, South Carolina, United States / Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Endowed Chair in Architecture & Health Design / Professor of Industrial Engineering / Professor of Architecture
PROF. CIARA KIERANS, PHD University of Liverpool, England / Institute of Population Health / Professor in Social Anthropology, Public Health, Policy & Systems
PROF. EVELYNE DE LEEUW, PHD Université de Montreal, Quebec, Canada / Canada Excellence Research Chair in One Urban Health / Professor of Public Health
PROF. DEBAJYOTI PATI, PHD Texas Tech University, Lubbock, United States / Department of Design / Interior Design / Professor / Rockwell Endowment Chair
PROF. RUTH WEST, PHD University of North Texas, Denton, United States / xREZ Art + Science Lab / Director / Professor
PARTNERS ( SHAREHOLDERS )
BERN UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF BERN
INSEL GRUPPE AG
VISANA AG
GIRSBERGER HOLDING AG
PARTNERS ( LETTER OF INTENT )
BIGLA CARE AG
BKW AG
BURCKHARDT ARCHITEKTUR AG
CLAIRE & GEORGE STIFTUNG
CRÉATION BAUMANN AG
CSEM SA
GWJ ARCHITEKTUR AG
LINDENHOFGRUPPE AG
LOSINGER MARAZZI AG
MICHEL GRUPPE AG
NOVAZONA AG
QUMEA AG
PUZZLE ITC GMBH
SITEM INSEL AG
SWISS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
STIFTUNG PATIENTENSICHERHEIT SCHWEIZ
STIFTUNG SOLINA
SWISS MEDTECH
VISITING PROFESSORSHIPS
NORA COLMAN MD
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States / Critical Care ( Pediatric ) Medicine
FUNDING
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ( SWISS CONFEDERATION )
DR. NIRIT PILOSOF
Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat Gan, Israel / Head of Research in Innovation und Transformation
PROF. HELLE WIJK Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden / Sahlgrenska Academy / Health and Care Sciences / Professor Chalmers University of Technology / Gothenburg, Sweden / Visiting Professor
PROF. DR. THOMAS ZELTNER University of Bern / Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine / Professor of Public Health / SWISS RED CROSS / Director
CANTON OF BERN
LERNETZ AG
KOMFORM GMBH
SWISS TROPICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE
SWISSCOM AG
SWITZERLAND INNOVATION
PARK BIEL / BIENNE AG
THE TAO OF EXCELLENCE GMBH
TRIFACT AG
USM U. SCHÄRER SÖHNE AG
WHITESPACE LTD.
We develop and research design solutions and standards that promote health.
SWISS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
CANTON OF BERN
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
SCIENTIFIC BOARD
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
EMPLOYEES
TEAM
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
SCDH
EXTENDED EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
SHAREHOLDERS
PARTNERS (LETTER OF INTENT)
VISITING PROFESSORSHIPS
INDIVIDUAL ORGANISATION