FIRST PRIZE WINNER!
Xinyi Tang, Yuan Su and Yixuan Wang
China
Xinyi Tang, Yuan Su, and Yixuan Wang are undergraduate students from the Industrial Design department at Tsinghua University, with a focus on spatial design. Their university offers an exceptional environment and resources, enabling them to explore various aspects of space-related design collaboratively. They are passionate about interactive art and experiential design, striving to create unique and meaningful experiences that promote engagement and connection through innovative forms and interactions.
Interview with the Winner
Introduction
We are a group of undergraduate students from the Industrial Design department at Tsinghua University, focusing on spatial design. Our school provides an excellent environment and resources that allow us to explore various aspects of space-related design together. We are passionate about interactive art and experiential design, aiming to create unique and meaningful experiences that foster engagement and connection through innovative forms and interactions.
Our participation in this competition stems from a deep reflection on the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and architecture. The theme of this competition provides us with an opportunity to reassess how we can use architecture and space to improve mental health, especially in the context of cognitive impairment. Architecture is not just a physical structure; it also serves as a vessel for emotional and psychological experiences.
This competition has prompted us to think about how architecture can become a sanctuary for healing the mind. Our understanding of "sanctuary" extends beyond individual experiences within a space; it encompasses a focus on and support for specific groups, particularly vulnerable populations such as Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.
We believe that architecture can serve as a symbolic platform, reflecting society's sensitivity to and responsiveness to the needs of different groups. We hope this concept will inspire public reflection on the challenges faced by marginalized communities. Through our architectural design, we aim to create a space that cares for individuals while also being inclusive of groups, ultimately becoming a true sanctuary for the mind.
Design Concept
Our design stems from a deep sense of care and observation for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers, as we encounter these individuals in our daily lives. We often realize that we cannot truly solve the actual challenges faced by patients; this remains a complex and daunting task. However, we believe that through design, we can change societal perceptions of patients and their conditions.
In this process, we created an immersive VR interactive experience that allows participants to personally feel the cognitive differences and emotional fluctuations of patients through spatial interaction. We hope this design enables people to understand the patient’s world from a new perspective, experiencing their loneliness and helplessness. This is not just a redefinition of space, but also a resonance of emotions.
We employ game mechanics to enhance participant engagement, encouraging everyone to reflect on their own cognitive perspectives during the experience. The core of this design lies in fostering empathy, prompting the public to think more deeply about relationships and connections between individuals. While we cannot directly address the challenges posed by Alzheimer's, we aim to promote broader discussion and understanding, creating a more inclusive and compassionate social environment.
Through our efforts, we hope to bring about positive change for both patients and society, helping everyone approach this complex issue with warmth and understanding.
Architectural Innovation
We first innovated traditional spatial layouts by breaking conventional spatial divisions and adopting non-linear and flexible configurations. This created a multifunctional user experience, allowing visitors to freely explore and move in different contexts. At the same time, we introduced interactive elements, enabling the audience to actively participate rather than just passively observe.
Secondly, we applied new technologies, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, to enhance the immersive experience, transcending the limitations of physical space. Additionally, we utilized sensors, sustainable technologies, and intelligent systems to further enhance functionality and user experience.
Finally, we incorporated narrative and emotional connections into the design, conveying stories of care for Alzheimer's patients through the space. This helps participants resonate emotionally while considering human psychological needs, creating a warmer and more inclusive environment.
These elements effectively helped us break through the constraints of traditional architectural spaces and explore more futuristic and experimental designs.
Social Impact
We have the following views on addressing mental health issues through innovative design based on our field of study.
First, it is essential to enhance awareness and education: by creating educational spaces and interactive experiences, we can raise public awareness of mental health issues, eliminating misunderstandings and biases. For example, exhibitions or interactive installations can convey important information about mental health and promote dialogue.
Secondly, it is crucial to create supportive environments: designs focused on mental health can aim to create comfortable and inclusive spaces that provide support and a sense of safety. Whether through soft colors, the introduction of natural light, or thoughtful spatial layouts, design can help reduce anxiety and stress.
Next, providing opportunities for interaction and participation is important: by incorporating interactive elements, design can encourage participants to actively engage in activities, enhancing social interaction. This can help alleviate mental health issues and foster connections between people.
If feasible, integrating technology with therapy is beneficial: utilizing technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality, design can offer immersive therapeutic experiences that assist users in confronting and managing mental health challenges. For example, specific applications or games can be designed to help users relax or reduce anxiety.
Finally, it is important to reflect individual needs in design: by considering the psychological needs of different users and creating personalized experiences, design can help individuals better understand and manage their emotions. This focus on individual differences in design can provide more effective solutions for various mental health issues.
Creative Process
First, we conducted preliminary research and analysis: the three of us summarized and refined current social issues and hot topics, gathering as much relevant information as possible while weighing the feasibility and importance of each theme.
Next, we developed the proposed concept: we focused on the Alzheimer’s disease community, brainstorming and segmenting the target audience while analyzing user personas. Based on this analysis, we proposed multiple solutions and, after evaluation and screening, ultimately chose the narrative-driven virtual game exhibition hall as our direction.
Once the direction was set, we began the design process: we created several sketch proposals and built models for comparison, exploring the spatial composition. Additionally, we personally tested the necessary equipment to validate the space and structure's feasibility, making the proposal more implementable.
Following this, we engaged in feedback and iteration: we invited several testers to experience the exhibition hall from an observer's perspective and share their impressions. Based on the feedback received, we iterated and improved the design.
Community Engagement
In this project, we didn’t start with traditional architectural spaces; instead, we opted for virtual game environments to tackle healing issues. On one hand, the expansion of high-density cities, along with the rapid advancements in AR and VR technology, means that virtual game spaces are no longer limited by physical constraints, allowing residents to engage extensively, regardless of time or location. On the other hand, this innovative game format encourages the younger generation to actively learn about Alzheimer’s disease, fostering connections and communication between young and elderly individuals. This approach helps alleviate anxiety surrounding Alzheimer’s and strengthens community cohesion.
Inspirations and Challenges
Our primary inspiration comes from games that feature spatial dislocation, such as Monument Valley and Superliminal. These games utilize visual dislocation to design levels, prompting players to continually adjust their perspectives to achieve visual harmony. Virtual game spaces provide the opportunity to explore geometries that would be impossible in reality while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Given that Alzheimer’s symptoms are closely related to dislocations of space and time, our design draws from the spatial logic found in other games while incorporating our own expression of geometric beauty.
Reflections on Winning
We consider this an incredible experience. The awarded works truly amazed us. Being recognized alongside such outstanding pieces gives us a great sense of achievement. We are very grateful for the recognition and support from the judges. This award has significantly boosted our confidence in display design and spatial design, and we hope to create even better works in our future studies.
Checkout our Latest Competitions
