03/Ensō Village: improving wayfinding and encouraging connections in memory care patients

Developed accessible wayfinding systems and promoted social engagement to enhance the healthcare experience in a senior living community at Ensō Village

Accessibility

Accessibility

Healthcare

Healthcare

Experience Design

Experience Design

Ensō Village is a senior living community located in Healdsburg, CA. Residents in this community have been artists or curators for decades and they have a lot of artworks in storage.

Because of the blank empty hallways in the building, residents with cognitive dysfunction find it difficult to navigate their way around Ensō.

And so we were tasked with designing a unique experience that uses these artworks as a wayfinding and storytelling tool for the residents

MENTOR: KRISTIAN SIMSARIAN, MARC O'BRIEN

COLLABORATORS: MUSKAN MALLIK, VIDHI MISHRA

THE CHALLENGE

The building has long corridors with empty walls and carpeting that can be confusing for residents with dementia or other similar conditions.

Residents have moved in from their homes to a strange place at the final phase of their life; but it doesn't feel like home.

They want to explore their creativity and find purpose within the walls of Enso Village.

FOCUSED PROBLEM STATEMENT

How might we
create community and immersive storytelling through art in a senior living center, focusing on mindful aging, while also prioritizing way-finding and accessibility?

How might we
create community and immersive storytelling through art in a senior living center, focusing on mindful aging, while also prioritizing way-finding and accessibility?

CURRENT EXPERIENCE MAP

Barbara decides to visit a common area but is concerned about the confusing hallways.

Resident’s apartment + information pamphlet with a basic map

Introduce visually distinct, thematic wayfinding signs or art installations at strategic intervals to serve as easy-to-recognize landmarks.

Use consistent thematic elements to make corridors visually engaging and less intimidating.

Install mid-corridor art installations and interactive digital displays that provide location information and interactive stories.

Implement night-time friendly guidance with clear, well-lit signage, and introduce rest spots with seating near engaging art installations.

Doorway signage, beginning of corridor

Similar looking corridor intersections, occasional basic signages

Common area marked by signage

Reversal of earlier navigation aids, similar hallway intersections

She exits their apartment into a stark, undecorated hallway that lacks distinctive features.

She navigates through multiple identical corridors, struggling to remember turns & landmarks.

Barbara reaches her destination- a nondescript entryway lacking personalization.

She makes her way back to her apartment, facing the same identical & uninviting hallways.

PREPARATION

TOUCHPOINTS

OPPORTUNITIES

DEPARTURE

NAVIGATION

ARRIVAL

RETURN

CONSTRAINTS

Less availability of proper archival of stored artworks

Dexterity issues among seniors

Personalization for people with varied interests or preferences

DESK RESEARCH INSIGHTS

Themed environmental cues, like artworks, can enhance spatial memory by 40%

Distinctive landmarks within living spaces can improve the ability to navigate by 50% for people with cognitive impairments

Engaging with familiar and aesthetically pleasing visuals can lower stress and anxiety levels in seniors by up to 60%

DIARY STUDIES

RECRUITING CALL FOR DIARY STUDY

PROMPTS FOR DIARY STUDY

DIARIES

THEMES & INSIGHTS FROM DIARY STUDIES

New friendships being formed at Ensō Village

Specific contributions made by residents to the Ensō Village community

Types of art or cultural experiences that residents would like to enjoy

Existing hobbies and activities that the residents enjoy at Ensō Village

Most of the residents expressed a very keen interest in helping out their community

“..hope to offer intuitive painting workshops or groups”

-Barbara

“Hoping to create shared experiences involving different generations/age groups…”

-Julian

“I also want to work in the Inspirement Studios and be helped or helpful. I have true knowledge about…”

-Kurt

“I want to create more opportunities for residents to share information with one another.”

-Lily

Ideating without limiting ourselves to constraints

B-HAG: BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOALS

SOLUTION ECOSYSTEM

ENTICE

ENTER

ENGAGE

EXIT & EXTEND

A resident enters a hallway in Ensō. They see paintings up on the wall with brochures containing information about the art and artist/curator.

They notice a friendship toolkit on other residents' doors and puts up notes or messages for them.
They get to know the personal likes/dislikes of this person from the toolkit.

They interact with the digital displays in the "moments" spaces in the nooks of the corridors and engage in conversations with other people.

They take a feeling of autonomy, improved health, community, evoking a feeling of home.
If they feel lost, they can look up the themed corridor they reside in on their app and follow using AR wayfinding.

FINAL INTERVENTIONS

Ideating without limiting ourselves to constraints

B-HAG: BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOALS

Ideating without limiting ourselves to constraints

B-HAG: BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOALS

FINAL INTERVENTIONS

FINAL INTERVENTIONS