Leslie Lin

As the number of individuals with dementia continues to increase worldwide, with over 55 million people currently living with the disease, architects may need to share responsibility with doctors in promoting the general well-being of society. Alzheimer's disease (AD), which accounts for 60-70% of dementia cases, is a painful process that results in the gradual loss of identity, including hallucinations, physical and emotional loss of control, and forgetfulness. Constant thinking and moderate neurological stimulation can slow down the disease's progression by promoting what is known as long-term memory. Alzheimer's care facilities are typically located in remote suburban areas, separating patients from both their families and a familiar urban environment. Conversely, home care often lacks professional care. As such, creating a suitable living space for Alzheimer's patients in the city can become a crucial provision.

This thesis aims to bridge the gap between architecture and health by exploring the notion that belvedere spaces have an integral role in accompanying patients throughout their journey. By studying the therapeutic architectures and the characteristics of Alzheimer's disease, the project aims to design everyday living spaces that can help early AD patients care for themselves. Additionally, the project introduces an art workshop and gallery, coupled with cognitive therapy, to encourage patients to think and communicate in more diverse ways. In the Czech Republic, units such as respite and palliative care centres are often situated within institutions built to cure, not heal. Situated on the edge of allotments, within a campus of care and education facilities, the architecture offers a range of specific tectonic spaces and by drawing on nature, through the belvedere, this project aims to create a more suitable and stimulating environment for Alzheimer's patients to reside.