Louise’s artwork design will help residents find their way

New dementia-friendly art and design projects at three Perthshire sheltered housing units have been created to help residents find their way around the buildings while adding character and interest to the communal areas.

Working in partnership, Tayside Healthcare ArtsTrust (THAT) and Perth and Kinross Council, commissioned creative art and design solutions for Carpenter Court and Strathmore Street sheltered housing units in Perth and at James Court in Pitlochry.

The artwork was developed using dementia-friendly principles. The enhanced designs help residents to navigate more easily around the buildings.

THAT commissioned designer Louise Kirby to hold consultation workshops with staff and residents.

They looked at themes and colours that residents respond well too.

Louise then devised different plans, each appropriate to the individual buildings.

The concept was to use imagery based around nature and the changing seasons, and reflect the established colour coding system for each floor in the Carpenter Court and Strathmore Street units.

The designs at James Court reflect the residents and staff’s love of the local animals and landscape and provide positive images that brighten up the corridor.

Louise said:“I loved the challenge of using my design skills to improve how residents find their way around the sheltered housing units.

“The buildings are very different in size and layout so they required different solutions, but the principle is the same.

“The design elements link and flow with the established colour coding to provide positive visual markers for people.

“This has been a great opportunity to see how my designs can help people living in these units.”