Designing for Dementia; Insights from Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Education

<p dir="ltr"><i>Dementia-friendly design is an increasingly urgent concern as populations age and care needs become more complex. This study explored how architectural engineering education can support inclusive and sustainable responses to dementia through experiential learning. It examines the work of undergraduate students enrolled in a core design module (ArcD) within a BEng/MEng Architectural Engineering program at a UK university. Students were tasked with designing dementia-friendly bungalows that address cognitive, sensory, and physical needs, while integrating sustainability and assistive technologies. A qualitative thematic analysis of 35 anonymous student submissions collected over three academic years (2022–2025) identified six key design strategies: user-centred planning, sensory and cognitive support, inclusive outdoor spaces, community-oriented layouts, sustainability, and technological integration. The findings confirm alignment with the established dementia-care design literature, such as prioritizing accessibility, reducing agitation, and promoting social engagement. However, the study also revealed how students extended the design brief by incorporating emerging technologies (e.g., smart sensors and adaptive lighting) and culturally specific features that foster psychological safety and identity. These socially and environmentally responsive innovations reflect how future practitioners can interpret and evolve inclusive designs in response to shifting global concerns. This analysis further highlights the pedagogical value of project-based and design-thinking approaches in fostering critical, empathetic, and technically competent graduates. Despite variations in cultural awareness and real-world feasibility, student work demonstrates how inclusive design principles can be embedded meaningfully within technically rigorous curricula. This study contributes to emerging conversations about inclusive design pedagogy by showing how dementia care principles can be taught using studio-based methods. It also offers recommendations for enhancing cultural sensitivity, industry collaboration, and scalability of future curricula. Architectural engineering education, when designed with intention, can play a transformative role in preparing students to meet the social and environmental challenges in contemporary care environments.</i></p>