Designing Interiors for Dementia & Cognitive Decline
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="9212" img_size="Full" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css="" link="http://file:///C:/Users/W6576273/Downloads/Protone%20Access%20Panels.jpg"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text css=""]Dementia, referred to in te reo Mãori as mate wareware, is becoming increasingly prevalent across New Zealand’s ageing population. According to 2025 statistics, approximately 83,000 people in New Zealand are living with dementia mate wareware.1 Demographic projections indicate this figure could approach 170,000 by 2050,2 reinforcing the need for built environments that respond to both current and future demand.
The design of interior environments, whether in residential or care settings, shapes the daily experience of people living with cognitive impairment. Spatial layout, material selection and aesthetics can either support orientation and autonomy or contribute to confusion, anxiety and distress. For architects, this places greater emphasis on evidence-based, person-centred design approaches. This means paying close attention to how spaces look, feel and are navigated, particularly in settings where residents may experience changes in cognition and sensory processing over time.
This paper examines how interior design and product specification can be used as practical tools to support wellbeing and dignity for people living with dementia mate wareware. It focuses on three interrelated design domains: wayfinding, acoustic comfort and visual comfort.
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[post_title] => Designing Interiors for Dementia & Cognitive Decline
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Whitepapers
Designing Interiors for Dementia & Cognitive Decline
Designing Interiors for Dementia & Cognitive Decline
Dementia, referred to in te reo Mãori as mate wareware, is becoming increasingly prevalent across New Zealand’s ageing population. According to 2025 statistics, approximately 83,000 people in New Zealand are living with dementia mate wareware.1 Demographic projections indicate this figure could approach 170,000 by 2050,2 reinforcing the need for built environments that respond to both current and future demand.
The design of interior environments, whether in residential or care settings, shapes the daily experience of people living with cognitive impairment. Spatial layout, material selection and aesthetics can either support orientation and autonomy or contribute to confusion, anxiety and distress. For architects, this places greater emphasis on evidence-based, person-centred design approaches. This means paying close attention to how spaces look, feel and are navigated, particularly in settings where residents may experience changes in cognition and sensory processing over time.
This paper examines how interior design and product specification can be used as practical tools to support wellbeing and dignity for people living with dementia mate wareware. It focuses on three interrelated design domains: wayfinding, acoustic comfort and visual comfort.
