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Urban Decay: An Alternative Vision for Dementia Care

Part 2 Project 2024
Oliver Murton
University of Kent | UK
‘Urban Decay’ proposes an alternative vision for Dementia care in Margate. The number of individuals diagnosed with dementia is expected to rise to 1 in 6 by 2030, and therefore, calls into question the impact this will have on our existing healthcare services. Using Plato’s and Aristotle’s “Organic Analogy” the project explores the lifecycle, beauty, and remnants of (brain) decay on the abandoned Margate Lido Complex, Margate, and experiment through multiple media the qualities of decay within the context of this proposal. By drawing parallels between the architectural elements of a building and the structural components of societal organization proposed by Plato and Aristotle, and understanding how neglect, imbalance, or lack of cooperation could lead to decay in both contexts.

The proposal reimagines the site with the implementation of a new aquatherapy facility that considers dementia-centred care, cognitive spatial accessibility and community. This has been informed by a scientific-led approach to designing spaces for dementia patients and the public – egocentric and allocentric cognitive wayfinding. The impact of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) on an individual’s cognitive spatial perception significantly reduces their ability to construct new cognitive spatial maps and existing spatial memory deteriorates, even in early stages.

Oliver Murton

Tutor(s)


2024
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