What does a safe, sensitive space look like to those with dementia? How can architects design inclusive environments that nurture and care for each individual with their changing needs?
The spaces around us are important for our sense of wellbeing, even more so when people may be feeling disorientated or confused. Dementia is a condition that is on the rise and impacting more people than ever, especially with a rapidly-aging population.
Architects can play a pivotal role in supporting and enhancing the lives of those living with dementia. By creating environments that facilitate a supportive and caring community, architects and designers can provide stability and connection to those whose sense of self is progressively disintegrating.
Níall McLaughlin and Yeoryia Manolopoulou will present their Losing Myself project, a time-based drawing they collaborated on for the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale, which represented the plan of a building as it may be experienced by different people with dementia. Rather than a typical architectural plan, capturing a horizontal slice through a whole building at once, Losing Myself rejects this way of simultaneously comprehending a building as a whole, but rather, presenting the fragmenting, of both space and time, so often the experience of those living with dementia.
Frank van Dillen, founder of DVA Dementia Village Associates, will present on the very first Dementia Village in The Hogeweyk in The Netherlands; a neighbourhood designed for those living with dementia. The approach has humanised the care of those diagnosed with dementia, revolutionising the traditional structure of a nursing home, and creating a more supportive and independent environment for its residents.
Following the presentations, our speakers will be joined in conversation by Clare Cameron, architect and director within the later living team at PRP. She has an in-depth knowledge of nursing care, dementia care, assisted living, and extra care sheltered housing, having designed, and led an extensive portfolio of award-winning projects in the field of older people's housing and care.
This event is part of our Well Being: Well Built series of talks for the RIBA + VitrA Partnership.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to add social, economic and cultural value to society, and VitrA Bathrooms are proud to be supporting such an inspiring programme.
With innovation at its core, a global reach and a tradition of collaborating with celebrated architects and designers, the VitrA bathroom brand has become a world leader, synonymous with contemporary sophistication since the mid-1900s.
To celebrate the change of season, our autumn 2022 RIBA + VitrA talks will be free. The offer applies to this year’s talks only so be sure to book now.
