You can watch the nineteenth Parlour LAB here!

In this seminar we had an engaging discussion with Kate Swaffer and YE about designing for dementia and ageing.

YE asked whether we, architects, really understand who we are designing for and the values that guide their lives. She articulated how vague guidelines can be in terms of culturally appropriate care, asked us to think beyond cafes in terms of spaces needed to integrate residents into their wider community, and questioned the relevance of single bed rooms for residents who have never slept alone before. You can read more about her research on design considerations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents in aged care homes here.

Kate demands us to rethink dementia as a disability and not violate human rights by segregating parts of the population into institutional settings behind locked gates. People with dementia should be able to choose to remain living at home with their families, living independent lives and being included in the community. She advocated for co-design practices in which people with dementia are valued for their experience and knowledge with appropriate payment.

Key take aways?

Don’t treat others the way you want to be treated - treat others the way they want to be treated.
Design from the grassroots up - for your building users.
There is no normal. Diversity is normal.
Architects, backed by research, can be powerful advocates for site users, buildings, precincts, neighbourhoods and cities.