In our Living Lab, with the workshops and the materials collection, we have state-of-the-art platforms at our disposal.

The Extended-Reality Simulation Area in the SCDH’s Living Lab is the largest facility of its kind in Switzerland. In it, floor plans can be projected on a 1:1 scale and supplemented with lightweight construction walls and furnishings. Thus, planned spaces become three-dimensional – floor plans become rooms that people can walk through and experience. At simulation workshops, stakeholder groups can gather to jointly test and optimise the planned spaces.

Extended-Reality Simulation Area

The SCDH’s Living Lab offers a setting for the realistic reproduction, creation, furnishing and testing of spaces. This allows the simulation of working and treatment processes and the testing of products in spaces that come as close as possible to the “real thing”. The testing spaces serve both as a platform for simulation and research and as a showroom for manufacturers.

Realistic testing spaces

The testing systems in the SCDH’s Living Lab support the investigation of the effects of factors such as light, colours, acoustics or the feel of surfaces under controlled and reproducible conditions. They also support the verification of accessibility. Test installations are built and outfitted as required for the specific job order or research question.

Testing systems

The SCDH is currently building up a physical and digital collection of materials. The aim is to create an index of materials determined on the basis of scientific evidence to promote health and conserve resources. The SCDH’s intent here is to provide planners, designers and architects with a tool that will facilitate the selection of appropriate materials and deliver in-depth information about the materials and their use.

Materials collection

The SCDH’s workshops are situated right next to the Living Lab. They include a professional wood and metal shop as well as an open space which is used mainly for work with plastic, textiles or digital printing. The workshops assist with forming the other platforms, support the provision of the SCDH’s services and research projects and make co-prototyping possible. 

Workshops