Here and Now

Inspired by the case study ‘Vortex’ by Gaspar Noé, we explore the intersection of care and architecture for individuals with dementia. The movie portrays the last weeks of a couple marked by the dementia of the wife, casting a bleak and hopeless picture of the disease. To design thoughtfully for people with dementia, we deepened our understanding of the condition. Through research, we understood that our theories about dementia fundamentally influence the ways we care for those affected. While dementia presents significant challenges, we also identified opportunities to address its effects in meaningful ways. Despite the difficulties, dementia doesn’t preclude the possibility of experiencing beautiful moments.

The focus of our facility lies on the present moment, being in the ‘Here and Now’. We aim to provide spaces that foster meaningful moments for both individuals with dementia and their close ones.

Dementia presents diverse challenges, for their relative caregivers, who may experience a loss of connection and also for individuals with dementia, who often face confusion and isolation. In this context, providing opportunities for shared moments in a safe environment becomes essential.

Food and its preparation serve as key elements in our approach. Cooking and eating are sensory experiences that can evoke memories, provide comfort and slow down the disease. The act of sharing a meal also creates moments of connection, comfort and opportunities to exchange experiences.

During the day, our building offers therapeutic cooking for those with dementia, accompanied by professional caregivers. In the evening, it transforms into a dementia friendly restaurant that welcomes both guests with and without dementia.

It provides the opportunity for those in the early stages of dementia to waitress and thus feel a sense of purpose and connection with others, while contributing to the community. This not only promotes interaction but also offers a valuable learning experience in managing dementia. The aim is to create a space for mutual understanding and acceptance.

Project by: Alea Ebnöther, Leon Schade, Pia Grillmeier, Sophia Hanssen

Teaching team: Anna Puigjaner, Dafni Retzepi, Ethel Baraona Pohl, Lisa Maillard, Luis Úrculo, Pol Esteve Castelló, He Shen

Design Studio: Autumn 2024