07/09/2025
If you’ve ever wondered what interior designers really do, this is it.
This project was the culmination of my design education: my senior studio at the University of North Alabama. Though it wasn’t created for a real client, it became my favorite project because of the real impact it represents. I designed a Memory Care Facility, "located” in Galveston, Texas, inspired by The Green House Project, a nonprofit reshaping eldercare by creating small, home-like environments that prioritize dignity, autonomy, and meaningful connection.
As someone who has seen the effects of dementia personally, this project hit close to home. I wasn’t just designing a structure; I was creating a safe, comforting, and human-centered home for individuals who deserve to feel supported, seen, and understood.
Why Understanding Your Client Matters:
Interior design is not just about aesthetics. It’s about translating real human needs into spaces that genuinely serve. In this project, my “clients” weren’t just hypothetical owners; they were each resident, each caregiver, and each family member walking through the doors.
Designing for individuals with dementia requires more than beauty. It demands empathy, research, and deep understanding:
* Their challenges: memory loss, confusion, overstimulation, mobility issues
* Their needs: calmness, familiarity, autonomy, and safety
* Their emotions: fear, frustration, and those fleeting moments of joy that thoughtful design can nurture
Through this process, I learned how to design for the mind as much as for the eye.
The Role of ADA in Memory Care Design
This project also deepened my understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA guidelines are more than code; they are the tools that make spaces livable and inclusive. In this memory care environment, ADA compliance was the foundation, not an afterthought.
✔️ Barrier-free bathrooms with fold-down shower seats and grab bars
✔️ ADA-height toilets, sinks, and counters
✔️ Ample turning space for mobility devices
✔️ Wide, unobstructed doorways and circulation paths
✔️ Tactile hardware, visual contrast, and wayfinding cues that reduce cognitive strain
This knowledge went beyond just reading codes; I truly learned how accessible design changes lives.
Breaking Down the Spaces
🏠 Resident Bathrooms
Designed to prevent falls and support autonomy. Clean lines, soft contrast, and intuitive layouts keep the space beautiful and functional.
🍳 Resident Kitchens
Familiar routines support memory. Lowered counters, accessible appliances, and a soft palette encourage independence in a safe environment.
🪑 Dining Room
Community and connection happen here. ADA-compliant tables, durable seating, and acoustically friendly finishes create an inviting space for shared meals.
🎨 Activity/Multipurpose Room
From crafts to group activities, this adaptable room uses calming textures and lighting to minimize overstimulation and promote focus.
🛍️ Resident Store
A small but impactful addition, giving residents the joy of choosing a treat or browsing in a familiar setting with their family or guests. It’s all about autonomy, dignity, and the comfort of routine.
💬 Why This Project Matters:
- This wasn’t just about codes, materials, or lighting layouts. It was about people.
- This project taught me that design is empathy in action. It showed me how to read between the lines of ADA guidelines, how to design for cognitive function, not just visual appeal, and how to create a space that feels like home to those who need it most.
- I designed this space to honor the lives and stories of people with dementia, because dignity doesn’t disappear with diagnosis.
