Australia’s First Sustainable SDA Shines in Sanctuary Magazine — Showcasing Hopkins Research in Action

EcoVillage SDA, Australia’s first sustainable Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), has been profiled in the latest edition of Sanctuary Magazine (Issue 73) — Australia’s leading sustainable architecture journal, widely read across the design, construction and sustainability sectors.

This national feature recognises EcoVillage SDA as a pioneering model of nature-informed, neuro/cognitive-access oriented design, and highlights the research foundations led through The Hopkins Centre, including our work in cognitive accessibility, built environment innovation, environmental comfort, home modifications, and next-generation SDA design.

A Living Lab for Sustainable and Cognitive-Accessible Design

EcoVillage SDA has been established as a Living Lab, integrating diverse and emerging design research across:

·         Climate-responsive and net-positive sustainable design

·         Nature-based and biophilic design

·         Trauma-informed and dementia-inclusive design

·         Cognitive accessibility principles

·         SDA Design Standard and universal design frameworks

·         International environmental assessment methods targeting advanced indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and building comfort

The project is also the first in Australia to complete the netPositive Design STARfish Assessment, demonstrating its commitment to measurable, regenerative design outcomes.

🔗 STARfish Assessment: https://netpositivedesign.org/the-starfish-app/

 

As a Living Lab, EcoVillage SDA research is endeavouring to explore accommodation terms (eg. short-long) for varying abilities (visible and less-visible) to better inform accessible needs and design principles.

Our research behind the project
Research from The Hopkins Centre directly informed the project’s design, development and evaluation, including:

Sustainable Cognitive-Enriching SDA Project
Hopkins project overview 
🔗 https://www.hopkinscentre.edu.au/project/sustainable-cognitive-enriching-specialised-135

BEEHive – Brain Enriched Environments Laboratory
Exploring enriched environments, nature exposure, cognitive engagement and rehabilitation design.
🔗 https://www.hopkinscentre.edu.au/project/beehive-brain-enriched-environments-lab-174

Built Environment & Accessibility Research
Investigating design, assistive technologies, wayfinding and sensory environments.
🔗 https://www.hopkinscentre.edu.au/projects

The Dignity Project
Co-designing inclusive research with people with disability to improve design, systems and policy.
🔗 https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/hub-page/the-dignity-project

Additional Listings & Features
EcoVillage SDA is also featured through leading national sustainability and architectural platforms:

🔗 Sanctuary Magazine Issue 73: https://renew.org.au/sanctuary-magazine/sanctuary/sanctuary-issue-73/

🔗 Sustainable House Day Listing: https://sustainablehouseday.com/listing/sustainable-sda-for-cognitive-accessibility/

 

Why this matters

EcoVillage SDA is setting a new benchmark for sustainable, health-supportive, and cognitively accessible housing in Australia. Its recognition in Sanctuary Magazine underscores the national importance of research-driven design that improves independence, comfort, well-being and connection to nature for people with disability.

This project exemplifies the impact of research translation — where interdisciplinary evidence, lived experience, and design expertise come together to transform the built environment.

 

Subscribe or Support Sanctuary Magazine
As a not-for-profit organisation, Renew (publisher of Sanctuary) relies on community support.

Explore subscription or membership options here:
🔗 https://renewportal.org.au/join-renew/

 

More Information
Alison McDonald
a.mcdonald@griffith.edu.au

Michael Norwood
hopkinscentre@griffith.edu.au