{ Aljunied Nursing Home }
DISCIPLINE : Hospitality
YEAR : 2024
CLIENT : St. Andrews Nursing Home
Write Up
An Architectural and Interior Design project for Dementia Care in Singapore's Nursing Homes.
Amid the intricate tapestry of architectural design, the nexus between spatial environments and their profound impact on the well-being of dementia patients within nursing homes warrants a meticulous examination.
By unraveling the complexities of dementia, elucidating design strategies informed by neurological research, and advocating for technical and color theory considerations, this discourse endeavors to underscore the transformative potential inherent in purposeful architectural and interior design for dementia care.
The Project explores the usage of retro elements and contrasting color patterns that would spark memories which would aid with wayfinding through the nursing home for elderlies with dementia.
Bedroom Clusters
A dementia-friendly living space for the elderlies, prioritising both safety and functionality. These spaces are designed with contrasting and interactive elements for Cognitive Engagement, Cognitive Elements and Multi-functional units for efficiency.
The incorporation of personal items within these bedroom clusters emerges as a therapeutic mechanism. Striking a delicate balance, this personalization should offer comfort without overwhelming operators in terms of maintenance.
Recessed cabinetry, designed with high-contrast elements, becomes a cognitive anchor, aiding residents in comprehending and navigating their living quarters.
Bold contrasting colors are also used to facilitate way finding, whilst preventing these elderlies with deteriorating sight to confusing the walls with the floors.
Cluster Rest Areas
The overall theme for the nursing home would be incorporating nostalgic and familiar items from residential areas such as our HDB Void Deck elements.
The intention of incorporating such elements aims to aid wayfinding through nostalgia as people with dementia tend to remember places and things from their earlier days.
These common areas designed for interaction become crucibles of cognitive engagement. These spaces, laden with opportunities for socialization and shared activities, are integral to slowing down the effects of dementia.
These common areas are uniquely curated and designed to have its elements help to slow down deteriorating dementia conditions for some Elderlies in Aljunied Nursing Home.
The Cluster Rest Areas were designed to mimic and embody distinct elements - stone chairs, retro motif tiles, etc, from our usual HDB Void Decks to act as a wayfinding tool for elderlies with dementia.
The incorporation of thematic wayfinding, utilizing natural motifs such as birds, trees, and flowers, provides residents with a navigational guide, facilitating spatial orientation within the nursing home.
Sensory stimulation via nature also acts as a critical design concept as the herb gardens and wandering paths, thoughtfully configured, stimulate residents' senses. Nature, intertwined with architectural design, becomes a conduit for cognitive well-being.
Decentralised Living Area
High Density Open Common Areas where the Elderlies can spend their free time socialising with one another.
Safety measures are incorporated through the designs by implementing things like anti-slip flooring, finger protection at doors, and corner guards contribute to an overarching safety framework, mitigating the risk of accidents throughout the facility.
These common areas designed for interaction become crucibles of cognitive engagement. These spaces, laden with opportunities for socialization and shared activities, are integral to slowing down the effects of dementia.
Designed to adopt an open concept with few permanent fixtures, to allow for space when desired.
Whilst having designed safety measures in the space, the free space concepts allow for flexibility to enhance ease of mobility for the elderlies and nurses - ample space for wheelchairs and chairs to be placed for day gatherings which can be manoeuvred to make space for Bath Trolleys to passby.
Day Area
Designed with the aim to give the residents a space for group activities ranging from simple to more complex tasks.
The space is maximised with the intentions of allowing for flexibility and choice of personalisation for the common areas for easier manipulation of the space for specific activities. It also allows for a range of activities from simpler to more complex tasks with the goal of promoting social interaction for these residents.
As dementia elderlies tends to be less social and lose the ability to perform basic day to day tasks in later stages, group activities acts as a catalyst for recollection which will ultimately slow down the effects of dementia.
The integrated pantry allows for resends to engage in simpler and more common tasks that they would normally undertake in their own homes - washing dishes, setting up tables and etc. This enables group activities which also improves the welfare of the staffs.