Uni awards Japanese buildings gold star for dementia design

Buildings in Japan have been recognised by the University of Stirling for helping support people living with dementia.

The university’s world-renowned Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) has awarded its first international gold accreditation for excellence in dementia design.

A development in the Tokyo suburb of Setagaya comprising 176 living units, a 75bed care residence and a multi-functional long-term care service has been praised. The buildings were designed by Tokyu Land Corporation, who the university has been working with, along with healthcare consultant Mediva, for the last 18 months to advise on the design of the care residence and day-care centre, along with the integrated housing and services.

The accreditation was undertaken by the Lesley Palmer, chief architect at the DSDC and learning development officer Lynda Hutton.

Ms Palmer said: “The team had to work closely with Tokyu and Mediva to ensure the cultural differences in living and care provision between the UK and Japan were supported whilst ensuring the successful application of our dementia design principles.

“The result is a well-considered, contemporary design response which responds to the local modern vernacular and to our Stirling dementia design principles.”

“The integration of kindergarten, community salon and multi-purpose care centre within a senior living development is a sensitive, logical approach to supporting people with dementia to live as independently as possible within their community.”

Akiyoshi Komuro, operating officer and division manager at Tokyu, added: “We believe the Setagaya project makes a significant contribution to the society through promoting and supporting independence in people with dementia using dementia design.

The gold certificate was awarded by Professor Alison Bowes, dean of the faculty of social sciences, during a visit to Tokyo.