Work submitted for the competition
"Best Interior Diploma".
The subject of the study is the Nursing Home at 55 Krakowska Street in Krakow. In the initial phase, surveys and community interviews were conducted, which provided the basis for design activities. The concept of the diploma is based on the Evidence-Based Design method. Medical care facilities pose enormous challenges to the designer, combining not only solutions that comply with regulations, but above all focus on improving the psychological comfort of patients.
Evidence-Based Design is a design method that, through research, determines what requirements to meet so that the target user group can enjoy the full potential of the space.
The main entrance and corridor of the Nursing Home in Krakow.
© Weronika Cwanek
The design of the Nursing Home at 55 Krakowska Street in Krakow used design dimensions that took into account many factors affecting the elderly, those suffering from dementia or other chronic mental illnesses. The most important were surveys. Based on them, it was determined which places and activities give residents the most pleasure.
Nursing Home in Krakow, view of the facade
© Weronika Cwanek
The responses included the terms "in our home," and when asked what their favorite activity was, a person who has lived in the Nursing Home for thirty years answered: cleaning, cooking, taking care of the house. This indicates a longing for daily activities and a lack of a "homely" mood.
An important element of the project is visual identification
© Weronika Cwanek
Analysis of the questionnaires showed that watching TV (42.3 percent) and relaxing (42.3) were the favorite activities. However, dementia sufferers need activities that will force their minds to work. The elderly also often lose their will to live, feeling abandoned and useless. That's why attractive suggestions for spending time on a daily basis are very important.
Nursing home in Cracow, projections
© Weronika Cwanek
Reading (30.77 percent) and artwork (30.77) were another answer that came up frequently. Accordingly, a painting room was separated from the therapy room. Surveys on the current state of the facility, rated on a scale of 1 to 5, showed that the greenery outside the building was rated lowest (2.65 percent).
Wards can nurture plants as part of therapeutic activities
© Weronika Cwanek
Moreover, during the interview, the therapist admitted that the wards are positively influenced by plants. Thus, winter gardens were introduced with the possibility of nurturing greenery - conducting therapeutic activities in a completely different dimension, activating seniors in everyday life. All this contributes to the mental comfort and peace of mind that residents need.
Each function has been assigned a color and shape
© Weronika Cwanek
Due to special audiences who lose orientation in space, each function was assigned a color and shape. A visual identity was created to help people find their destination. Visually impaired residents, meanwhile, are helped by convex elements on the walls within easy reach.
one of the therapeutic spaces
© Weronika Cwanek
Theturquoise color was chosen for the primary identification. It is used to identify floors, and is also used for signposts and art activity points. Purple stands for the therapy room. Azure is the winter garden, and yellow is assigned to the shop-cum-café. Toilets are marked with orange, pink for the relaxation area, and blue for the dogo therapy.
winter garden
© Weronika Cwanek
The main idea of the project is to show that the interior can improve the health of a sick person. Yes, as architect Niall McLaughlin emphasized, in the case of dementia the role of the designer is special, because the disease destroys the ability to remember. Intuitive interior design and visual communication play the most important role in this case.
Weronika CWANEK
Illustrations: © Author
