HUMAN-CENTRED ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN FOR BUS DEPOTS
ViVA developed comprehensive design guidance material to support the design and fitout of a bus depot and adminstrative office space.
PROJECT LEAD
PROJECT TEAM
PARTNERED WITH
In-House
Context
The bus depot and garage industry combines transportation, mechanical maintenance, and logistics management with administration for their operational and safety work requirements. These are dynamic environments, with vehicle and pedestrian movement, peak demands, diverse hazards, and 24/7 operational shift work. These are large-scale spaces with multiple zones, technology integration needs, occupant health, and sustainability requirements.
Challenge
A local government organisation sought strategic advice on the construction and fitout of a new depot and administrative office space to support battery-electric bus operations, making a change to their core fleet, and adding to the complexity of work within their legacy systems.
Approach
ViVA conducted site visits and interviews with domain experts, determining the challenges and needs of multiple users in many scenarios. ViVA researched and synthesised scientific literature, regulatory requirements, and contemporary design advisory materials to combine these with on-the-ground learnings. ViVA developed their empathic understanding of the functional and health-oriented needs of the depot occupants, maintainers, visitors, and service customers, communicating this to the organisation through the development of guidance material.
Outcomes
ViVA developed design guidance advisory material on factors that can impact occupant health and work performance, including air quality and ventilation, lighting conditions, thermal comforts, noise control, spatial layout, visual cues, wayfinding, ‘sense making.’ and furnishings with ergonomic considerations. They applied a work task and systems-approach, considering people, equipment, process, and environment. Additionally, they considered psychological wellbeing of occupants with rest and break areas, safety and protections, and natural elements in design.
Image credit: Bus Queensland