Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Access to outdoor environments at dementia institutions can help maintain and improve mental and physical well-being. There have been several beneficial aspects identified in research such as lowering stress and agitation and studies suggest that familiar plants with their sensory traits may help people with dementia recall memories. Staff members and health care professionals can be an important asset when designing a dementia garden by sharing their experiences. There are indications that show that combining a research phase with the design process may produce a better dementia garden specifically suited for its user group. This thesis aims to apply relevant science to a case study and design project at two gardens at Björklunden dementia facility in Kristianstad municipality.
The garden designs are adapted to meet the needs of the staff, residents diagnosed with dementia and their relatives. The following reading will explore how a literature study influences a design proposal. The goal was to produce a safe and calm environment that increases the recreational value of the dementia facility.
This thesis was produced based on literature studies, staff interviews in collaboration with the dementia facility, and on-site inventories. Based on this knowledge, design principles were developed and utilised to build a design proposal for the dementia facility’s gardens.
The result is a design proposal that includes vegetation and management plans which reflect the design principles derived from the literature study.
Numerous design faults were avoided because the design principles were the primary contributors to the final design concept.