The global population is ageing rapidly, with the World Health Organization predicting that by 2050, the global population aged 60 and over will reach 2 billion, or 22 per cent of the total population（Rudnicka，2020）. Functional decline, particularly in muscle strength and reaction time, becomes more apparent, significantly affecting daily activities and exercise capacity. These problems are particularly acute in older people, as cognitive impairments can lead to communication difficulties, increase the risk of falls and injuries, and significantly affect social interactions, leading to increased loneliness and isolation.

The importance of addressing these issues cannot be overemphasised. As the number of cognitively impaired older adults continues to grow, there is an urgent need to develop innovative solutions to improve their quality of life. This study focuses on the design of public spaces for older adults with cognitive impairment due to intracranial injury, aiming to alleviate the loneliness and social isolation prevalent in these older adults.

Existing research suggests that there is a gap in the environmental offerings that specifically address the social and emotional needs of older adults with cognitive impairment. While there is a wealth of research on physical health and exercise aids, there is relatively little research on how space design can enhance their social well-being and sense of community. This project aims to fill this gap by exploring the potential of spatial design to create environments that recall memories and promote social interaction.

First of all, there is a need to set up a counselling desk and to equip operational administrators: because the surrounding environment has to change according to the changes in the old people’s homes, the offspring need to communicate with the administrators in advance to have a counselling session, by describing the problems of the old people in their respective homes, for example: which part of the old people‘s memories are often lost; those who have forgotten this part of the memories of the young time are arranged to be put into a space; those who have forgotten this part of the memories from their marriage are arranged to be put into another space.

For those who have forgotten the part of memory when they were young: adopt the system of claiming farmland, so that they can look for the memory of labouring when they were young. Research has shown that the appropriate temperature range varies from crop to crop, but is usually best kept between 18°C and 25°C (Danny, 2021). Humidity is also vital for crop growth, and a relative humidity of between 50 and 70 per cent is usually appropriate. Too much humidity can lead to disease, while too little humidity can affect plant transpiration and nutrient uptake. Indoor growing often uses artificial lighting to simulate daylight; LED lights are a common choice because they are energy efficient and low heat. Daily light hours should be 12-16 hours, depending on the photoperiodic needs of the crop (Nico, 2021).

Forgetting the space where this part of the memory from getting married : “I see life as a passageway with no fixed start or destination, and we have always tended to focus on the destination and forget about the space in between.” –Do Ho Suh

Do Ho Suh uses fibre materials in transparent colours to create equal-scaled door handles, lamps, fridges, bathtubs and other common objects in domestic life. He combines the material with memories of home. This inspired me. I wanted to let the elderly make choices in this part of the space. As I mentioned earlier, the children send the clothes of the elderly year to the information desk after consulting with the administrator. When the elderly forget this part of their memory after marriage and feel that they are still young, they will go into a changing area and choose to wear the clothes they wore when they were young and labouring as a farmer, and after wearing them, they look at themselves in the mirror and have a feeling of reacquainting themselves. Research on the mirror effect has found that when individuals look at themselves through a mirror, they can be more in touch with self-related emotions and perceptions. This self-reflection can increase self-awareness (Dishon, 2017).

Therefore, after older adults choose to finish the clothes they loved to wear when they were younger. This is a reminder of who they are in the moment.

Sara Esprit, a French artist and designer who transforms second-hand fabrics into poetic and highly emotionally resonant works of art. Her work often features embroidery with a mise-en-scene effect, incorporating elements such as cutlery and plates into tablecloths, napkins and placemats.

The Chinese culture of the round table plays an important role in dining and socialising, a culture that not only embodies traditional Chinese social practices, but also reflects the idea of social equality and harmony. In modern China, round tables are still widely used in various social occasions, such as wedding banquets, family dinners and business banquets (Cooper, 1986). Therefore, after they have changed their clothes, letting them be seated to eat at different tables corresponding to their clothing status, this dining room can let the elderly gradually find a sense of home. Bringing them back to the moment of marriage, the birth of a child, and the full month of a child brings everyone together at a point where they realise and recover the feelings they had from the moment of marriage. On this kind of scale, create a very lively round-table meal, emphasising family with the round table.

It has been researched that intracranial injuries can significantly affect the ability to process language and can make it difficult to interpret and express emotions correctly, which further exacerbates communication difficulties (McDonald, 2013). Therefore, within both parts of the space, I wanted to adopt a silent mode, to get them to take action through physical means, so they could feel the identity, the memory.

This project is significant because it addresses a critical and growing issue in our aging society. By creating environments that help elderly individuals recall their memories and reduce loneliness, we can improve their quality of life. This approach can also inform future designs and policies aimed at supporting this vulnerable population.

In conclusion, my project showcases the power of design in improving the lives of elderly individuals with cognitive impairments. By focusing on memory activation, identity reinforcement, and social interaction, we can create spaces that offer comfort, connection, and a sense of belonging. Thus effectively alleviating their sense of isolation.Thank you for your time and attention, and I welcome any questions or feedback.