Ziyan Chen

This project was developed from the local context and cultural memories of Forres, Scotland.
Forres is located in the Moray region and surrounded by natural woodlands, such as Cluny Hill (Figure 1), where foraging for wild berries and plants remains part of local memory. At the same time, the research identified that some older adults living alone experience social isolation, while participation in social activities needs to remain optional and low-pressure.

The final design concept was developed by combining this local context with two key Scottish cultural references.

The first is the Fairy Ring (Figure 2). In Scottish folklore from Balquhidder, fairies gather around mushrooms to dine together. This idea also connects with the underground fungal network, where nutrients are quietly exchanged before mushrooms appear on the surface. This became a metaphor for an invisible but supportive social network within the community.

The second reference is the Burns Night Supper, a Scottish tradition based on voluntarily sharing food, poetry and stories. This provided the social model for the service.

Based on these cultural and research insights, I designed Fairy Ring Supper and its main physical output, the Smart Mushroom. The device allows older adults to record and listen to voice invitations for shared meals without using a smartphone. Combined with the Smart Pot and local locations including the supermarket and Town Hall, the final design creates a tangible and low-pressure system that supports food sharing, storytelling and community connection.