DEMENTIA DESIGN
address the various specific needs of individuals with dementia.6
These needs
arise from their progressive impairments, including memory loss, cognitive decline, behavioural changes, motor skill limitations, and often co-occurring sensory impairments of vision, hearing, smell, and taste.7
Central to this research is
understanding how the physical environment can play a pivotal role in shaping the experiences of individuals with dementia, impacting their affective, cognitive, and behavioural responses.2
EBD
studies examine design factors such as layout, lighting, and material and colour usage for their effect on orientation, safety, memory, social engagement, agitation, and sensory abilities to establish design principles that can mitigate risks, enhance independence, improve mood, and generally support individuals with dementia.4
Among the most impactful design elements EBD highlights for dementia care are colour and contrast. Dementia can impair spatial awareness and memory, leading to disorientation and increased stress. EBD research suggests that well- chosen colour contrasts can guide movement and establish visual distinctions between areas. For instance, a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) contrast of at least 30 per cent between walls, floors, or furniture has been shown to support wayfinding by creating clear visual boundaries that help residents navigate their surroundings with greater confidence.8
This subtle use of contrast
provides an intuitive navigational aid, enhancing daily comfort and promoting independence. Material selection also plays a crucial
role in EBD’s dementia design framework, emphasising safety, hygiene, and sensory comfort. Flooring, in particular, is essential, as it significantly impacts mobility, stability, and the sensory experience of the space. For individuals with dementia, who are often at an increased risk of falls due to impaired depth perception and reduced
Clinique Kuindo-Magnin, Nouméa, New Caledonia (Sanae Architecture).
spatial awareness, EBD guidelines recommend non-slip flooring materials to minimise fall hazards. Flooring should avoid highly reflective or glossy surfaces, which can create visual confusion by appearing wet or slippery and may cause anxiety or hesitation when walking.6 Additionally, flooring materials should
be durable and easy to clean, given the high usage demands in care settings. Materials like vinyl or linoleum, which are slip-resistant and simple to maintain, are often favoured in EBD recommendations to support both safety and hygiene.9 Flooring can also aid in wayfinding through thoughtful colour and texture choices. For instance, distinct colour contrasts between floors and walls can help define spatial boundaries, an important feature in dementia-friendly spaces where visual cues are crucial for orientation and navigation. EBD focuses on these attributes to ensure that flooring supports functionality and safety while enhancing visual clarity and sensory comfort, creating environments that are secure and cognitively supportive.
Another important aspect of EBD in dementia design is the use of environmental cues to support memory and spatial orientation. Dementia often disrupts memory, making it difficult for residents to recognise specific areas, such as their rooms. EBD advocates for colour- coded zones or textured surfaces on doors to provide visual or tactile markers, helping residents identify specific rooms or areas more easily.10,11
These cues act as
gentle reminders within the environment, reinforcing familiarity and reducing anxiety through intuitive design elements. Calming colour palettes are another EBD principle in dementia care, intended to create an emotionally supportive atmosphere. People with dementia are often sensitive to sensory overstimulation, and environments that lack sensory control can lead to agitation or distress.12
EBD research suggests the
use of warm, nature-inspired tones to foster a calming atmosphere that minimises sensory overload. Colores like soft greens, blues, and earth tones have been shown to help residents feel more at ease, transforming care settings into
Dementia competence centre – Feddersen Architects. 80
Büter & Marquardt – Pilot project: Robert Bosch Stiftung. IFHE DIGEST 2025
©Eric Dell Erba
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