Selected Conferences

Hazreena Hussein, Zaliha Omar & Syaidatul Azzreen Ishak. Promotion of Inclusive Society through Therapeutic Sensory Stimulation Garden for the Intergenerational Society. AicE-Bs 2015 Barcelona `Development and Social Behaviours`. 

Nazli Che Din, Engku Mastura Engku Ahmad Anuar & Hazreena Hussein. Investigation on the Soundscape preference and perception of Highlands environment: A preliminary study. The 22nd Congress on Sound and Vibration Conference, Florence, Italy. 

Hazreena Hussein & Adi Ainurzaman Jamaludin. Residents participation towards sustainable living A post occupancy evaluation study. AicE-Bs 2014 Berlin `Public participation: Shaping a sustainable future`. 

Hazreena Hussein, Nik Malik Nik Zainal Abidin & Zaleha Omar. Engaging research and practice in creating for outdoor multi-sensory environments: Facing future challenges. AicE-Bs 2013 London `Research and Practice` (best paper award)

Hazreena Hussein & Naziaty Mohd Yaakob. The Development of Accessible Design in Malaysia. AicE-Bs 2012 Cairo `Future communities: Socio-cultural & Environmental challenges`. 

Hazreena Hussein. The influence of Sensory Gardens on the behaviour of children with special educational needs. AicE-Bs 2010 Kuching `Children, Youth and Environments`. 

Nor Atiah Ismail & Hazreena Hussein. Responsive Open Spaces in Malay Cultural Landscape: Retrospective of recreational spaces. IFPRA 2005 Kuala Lumpur Asia Pacific Congress 'Creating A Lifestyle'. 

Hazreena Hussein. Initiating Barrier-Free Built Environment Principle in the University in Malaysia. IFLA 2005 Mumbai, India. Eastern Region Conference 'Ecology, Culture, Landscape, Place and Image in the Global Village`. 

Hazreena Hussein. Sensing Inclusive Design in Green Spaces. IFLA 2004 Taipei, Taiwan World Congress 'Integration and Harmony in Landscape Architecture'. 

Ati Rosemary Mohd Ariffin & Hazreena Hussein. Regenerating Riverfronts in Small Towns with Big Ideas. International River Symposium 2004 Brisbane, Australia. 

Hazreena Hussein & Naziaty Mohd Yaakob. Creating an accessible campus. International Conference for Universal Design 2002, Yokohama, Japan. 

Hazreena Hussein. Urban Recreational Riverfronts: Successful Revitalisation Elements. IFLA 2001 Singapore World Congress 'Asian Places in the New Millennium`.

Selected Advisory Works

2015: Access audit on pedestrian accessibility and connectivity along Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur for the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

2014: Revision of MS 1184:2014 (Malaysian Standards Development of Universal Design and Accessibility in the Built Environment - Code of Practice [Second revision] for SIRIM. 

2012: Project site meeting to discuss on the latest development for the design and built-up of the Centre for Children with Special Needs at Sharifah Rokiah Knowledge Centre for Al-Bukhary International University, Kedah. Collaboration with Malik Lip & Associates. slideshare

2011: George Town Heritage Properties Audit for Khazanah National Board. 

2002: Proposed landscaping for Bangunan Canselori, Tunku Chancellor Hall, University of Malaya. 

Research Progress

Universal Design and Inclusive Society for Kuala Lumpur Built Environment: ENHANCING WELL BEING THROUGH RECREATIONAL AND SENSORY THERAPY IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN. 2014-2017. UM Grand Challenge (GC001-14SUS)

Aim: Bringing together the expertise and collaboration between University of Malaya with Kuala Lumpur City Hall to face the challenges of current and future residents of Kuala Lumpur in terms of universal design and inclusive society by emphasizing issues relating to public transportation, facilities community, recreation and tourism.

Case Study: Therapeutic Sensory Stimulation Garden (TTSG)

Volunteers painting the Mural Wall at TTSG (photo credit: DDZO)

Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Singapore

Preliminary site visits: 
BCA Academy, Toa Payoh and Pulau Ubin in Singapore (25-27 March 2015); Haven of Hope Sunnyside School, Aldrich Bay Park and HKSAR Central Government Offices in Hong Kong (15-18 April 2015)

Aldrich Bay Park, Hong Kong

Data Collection:
The session was conducted on 8 May 2015 at TTSG and BAKTI. Walk-through interviews with end users were carried out to enquire into their experience of, problems and benefits in using the sensory garden. Focus group discussion with design professionals was conducted in collaboration with the Malaysian Information Network on Disabilities (MIND) to discuss the planning, development and management of green spaces in Malaysia. 

- Promotion of Inclusive Society through Introduction of Concept of Therapeutic Sensory Stimulation Garden (TSSG) for Inter-generational Society

Morning session was moderated by Dr. Selina Khoo of UM, with the therapists and patients at TTSG. Another group was moderated by Ar. Mustapha Kamal of Arkitek Mustapha Kamal. Results showed that users`engagement with the sensory garden promotes sensory stimulation, physical mobility, social interaction and positive behavioural changes.

 

Afternoon session was moderated by Dr. Naziaty Mohd Yaakob, with design professionals at BAKTI. Results showed a poor partnership between design professionals, researchers, local authorities and public users as well as non-availability of detailed guidelines for designing sensory gardens. 

Teaching and Learning

Co-Researcher; Study visit to Bali, Indonesia; Architectural Design Studio I (BAEA 1275), Department of Architecture, University of Malaya, 2010.  Photo credit: Ati Rosemary Mohd Ariffin

Coordinator; 4th year Architecture students from the University of Malaya and Interior Design students from Kyung-Hee University to Singapore under the South East Asia Housing Joint Programme, Department of Architecture, University of Malaya, Coordinator, 2011-2012.  Photo credit: Buling Coordinator; A professional input by Ng Sek San of SekSan Design to Sentul West Park under Landscape Architecture (BAEE 4130), Department of Architecture, University of Malaya, 2011.

Photo credit: Buling

Acting Head of Department: Student outbound programme with Institute Technology Bandung and Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung, Indonesia, Department of Architecture, University of Malaya, 2012.  Photo credit: Fatin Wahida Presenter and Chairman; Asia Pacific International Conference on Environment-Behaviour Studies (AicE-Bs2013 London), Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies - University of Westminster, 2013.  Photo credit: Aicebs2013. With Prof. Emeritus Bryan Lawson. Coordinator; Study visit to Bukit Kiara Properties, Mont Kiara; Landscape Architecture (BAGS6320), Department of Architecture, University of Malaya, 2014. Photo credit: BKP Highlights (volume 1, 2014) Coordinator; Study visit to Forest Research Institute of Malaysia; Landscape Architecture (BAS6320), Department of Architecture, University of Malaya, 2014.  Looking up at the canopy

Principal investigator of Enhancing Well Being Through Recreational And Sensory Therapy In Landscape Design (GC001C-14SUS); Study visit to Hong Kong; Universal Design (BAGS6321), Department of Architecture, University of Malaya, 2015.  The Faculty of Architecture, University of Hong Kong with   M.Arch Program Director, Jason Carlow Haven of Hope Sunnyside School

Selected Research (completed)

Therapeutic Intervention: Using the Sensory Garden to Enhance the Quality of Life for Children with Special Needs. Research Leader. 2006-2009. Funds for Women Graduates.

Author with Jane Stoneham, the director of Sensory Trust and the author of the book, Landscape design for elderly and disabled people

Objectives:i) Observe and record how users responded to and engage with the individual behaviour settings in a sensory garden; ii. Investigate the design process and intentions of the landscape architect; iii. Investigate the teachers and therapists' thoughts and experiences with reference to the benefits and problems in having the sensory garden; iv. Assess the opportunities for users' activity in the sensory garden. 
Results: i) The layout of the circulation network enables user behaviour and use of area. Continous pathways that link the sensory garden to the site context, with easy access to the functional behaviour settings that are places along it, have the highest number of users. ii)Users spent a longer time in zones where sensory, rather than aesthetic value, were emphasised.
Outputs: 

Hazreena Hussein (2007) Sensory Gardens: Assessing their design and use.Open Space People Space: International Conference in Innovation Approaches to Research Excellence in Landscape and Health. 

Hazreena Hussein (2009) Sensory Gardens. Access by Design (spring) Issue 118:13-17.
Hazreena Hussein (2009) Sensory garden in special schools: The issues, design and use. Journal of Design and Built Environment 5:77- 95.
Hazreena Hussein (2010) Using the sensory garden as a tool to enhance the educational development and social interaction of children with special needs. British Journal of Learning Support, 25(1): 25-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9604.2009.01435.x
Hazreena Hussein (2010) Sensory Gardens: Assessing their Design and Use. Intelligent Buildings International 2(2)116-123(8).
Hazreena Hussein (2011) The Influence of Sensory Gardens on the Behavior of Children with Special Educational Needs. Asian Journal of Environment- Behavior Studies 2(4): 78-93. SlideShare

Hazreena Hussein (2013) Patterns of seated activity in sensory gardens among children educated in special schools. Support for Learning 28(2): 73-78. doi: 10.1111/1467-9604.12021
Hazreena Hussein, Nik Malik Nik Zainal Abidin & Zaleha Omar (2013) Engaging research and practice in creating for outdoor multi-sensory environments: Facing future challenges. AicE-Bs 2013 London. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 105:536-546. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.11.057 SlideShare

Hussein, H. & Daud, M.N. (2013) Taman Sensori: Kanak-Kanak Bekeperluan Khas. Penerbit Universiti Malaya.
Hazreena Hussein and Md Nasir Daud (2015) Examining the Methods for Investigating Behavioral Clues of Special-schooled Children. Field Methods 27: 97-112.doi:10.1177/1525822X14537579
Hazreena Hussein and Md Nasir Daud (2016) An Observation Method for Qualitative Data Gathering. In M. Rezaul Islam and Cathleen Jo Faruque (Eds.), Qualitative Research Tools and Techniques. USA: Farwood Publishing.  

The Importance of Having a Safe Campus Environment with Landscape Planting. Principal Investigator. 2011-2012. UM Research Grant. 

Objectives: i) To identify issues, requirements and constraints of campus users in using the route along Lingkungan Budi, University of Malaya. ii) To investigate and analyse the existing landscape planting along the route of Lingkungan Budi in University of Malaya, in terms of its species, aesthetic value, durability , growth and use.

Results: The results are used to identify the alternative solution for the betterment of existing pedestrian walk and to suggest an appropriate design for walkable campus environment in Malaysia. The most related problems instead of safety and accidents, are the weather-related issues. With hot and humid climates, pedestrian especially students facing with seasonal weather, neither the extreme hot sun nor the heavy downpour. The findings of this study wraps up two results; statistical analysis from survey questionnaire on users satisfaction, and on the observational findings on walkway design and planting characteristics. The statistical analysis shows that most of the users are satisfied enough with the current conditions of current walkway facilitate along Lingkaran Budi. However, there is some improvement that is need to be done in order to achieve the maximum comfort to the pedestrian environment, since there are about a quarter of the users feels discomfort with current walkway. For instance, the signage can be improved by its presence in each of the transitions area i.e. additional on number of signage. Besides, the appearance could be improvised, by not only using lettering information, for instance by providing interactive features. Nevertheless, there is also an issue on landscape planting along the pedestrian walkway that needs to be pruning and maintained.

Selected Presentations

Imagineering Soundcape.Royal Floria International Dialogue, 27 May 2016 to 28 May 2016, Perbadanan Putrajaya.  City planners have often many and innovative solutions for how to create a `good urban milieu`. However, these ideas are mainly focused on accommodating visual aesthetics with necessary practical matters for transport, waste and energy. The dynamic sound perspectives in the urban environment, such as sonic diversity and acoustic ecology, are still very much neglected aspects in landscape, planning and architectural design. Learn from the collaboration between the field of landscape architecture and acoustic engineering on the qualitative aspects of sounds and how innovative design method may contribute to outdoor acoustic environments that people perceive as pleasant, comfortable and calming.  Sensory garden: Lessons learned from the UK and Singapore. Universal Design (BAGS6321) 17 Apr 2015. Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong.  The differences and similarities of urban and sub-urban landscape design. UM-UNPAR Outbound Studio Program. 07 Feb 2014. Department of Architecture, University Parahyangan, Bandung.

Come to your senses... Issues, Design and Use in Sensory Gardens. Design Thesis Seminar. 14 Mar 2013. 5th Year Architecture, Semester 2 2013/2014.

Qualitative Research Methods. Research Methodology. 02 Apr 2011. Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya.

Malaysian Perspective on Barrier-Free and Universal Design. KHU-UM Joint Programme. 27 Jun 2011. Kyung-Hee University, Korea.

Parks for All. Penyelidikan Jangka Pendek Seminar. 11 May 2004 to 12 May 2004. University Malaya Research Institute.  Strategies and Guidelines for Waterfront Developments. IFLA Eastern Regional Conference 2002 Kuala Lumpur. Inside Green. Interior Design. 17 Jul 2002. Anjung Seri and Berita Publishing.

Creating Barrier-free Campus. Barrier-Free Built Environment Workshop. 26 Jan 2002. Department of Architecture, University  of Malaya.

Urban Recreational Riverfronts: Successful Revitalisation Elements. 38th International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) 2001 World Congress: 'Asian Places in the New Millennium' Singapore.  Pembangunan Insfrastruktur untuk Orang Kurang Upaya. Ekspo Konvokesyen Universiti Malaya. 08 Aug 2001. Universiti Malaya.

Trees and Management in Golf Courses. Turfgrass Management in Recreational Spaces. 25 Jul 2000 to 26 Jul 2000. University of Malaya.