Towards a New Housing Model for Dementia Care

Abstract

The rapid growth of dementia cases worldwide has urged the need for a more human-centered approach in regard to the living environments. As the number of cases is expected to rise, so does the necessity of developing new therapeutic spaces that support both individuals with cognitive decline and their caretakers. Co-living, a contemporary housing model term rooted in the principles of cohousing, offers a solution by fostering communal living and meaningful social interaction. This research explores the benefits of adapting a co-living housing model for those in the early stages of dementia while also taking into consideration design elements such as wayfinding, color, materiality, and access to nature. Co-living is introduced as an adaptive housing model that offers an alternative to traditional institutional care center designs. The findings are then implemented in an interior design context: the adaptive reuse of the Eternithaus, located in Berlin’s Hansaviertel. The proposal transforms the building into a co-living environment designed for a wide group of users, making the most of the thoughtful original design and adapting its use to a more familiar and supportive environment. In conclusion, the work here presented is a framework towards a more inclusive and empathetic housing model for dementia care. By evaluating collaborative, therapeutic, and non-institutional design approaches. The research offers valuable insight into how interior environments can support well-being through spatial clarity, emotional comfort, and aesthetic sensitivity.