ABSTRACT

The focus of this thesis paper revolves around the healing, positive effects of nature and lighting in improving life quality in the context of care homes, for elderly people suffering from dementia. Under these premises the development of the design solution has been drawn cross-disciplinary, amongst scientific, technical and creative approaches to light.

The goal of this paper is to highlight specific methodologies and design tools that are applicable according to the cognitive and mobility limitations that dementia causes in patients. Through a vast literature survey, a design scheme and criteria are highlighted, tackling amongst others, the topics of nature, light and the build environment, suggesting a synergy between them. The goal is to reinforce the human-nature connection in care homes, under the key constrain of the indoor space. Here, a research gap appears whereas majority of light-filled spaces with greenery for dementia patients have only had applicability outdoor.

A lighting design solution is being proposed in the contextual case of Nældebjerg care home, located in Denmark, with an approach shaped according to daylight cycles and seasonal rhythms. Nature remains the core inspiration for the design conceptualisation, aiming to create a room for well being for elderly suffering from dementia.

The applicability of the design, its limitations and further works are being discussed on the basis of dementia relevant assessment tools.