Green Diary House: A Model of Therapeutic Architecture for Dementia Care

Therapeutic Architecture for Memory, Belonging, and Healing

Green Diary House is an architectural response to the emotional and cognitive challenges faced by individuals suffering from memory-related conditions, especially dementia. More than a building, it is a spatial journey designed with empathy—where architectural form and memory care intersect. The project demonstrates how therapeutic architecture can create healing environments by reconnecting individuals with their past, promoting emotional well-being, and giving them a renewed sense of identity and belonging.

As modern life becomes increasingly fast-paced and disconnected, daily routines often become repetitive and devoid of emotional meaning. In such a setting, individuals—especially the elderly—can feel isolated and adrift. Green Diary House addresses this by crafting a spatial narrative that draws on the comfort of routine and the familiarity of past environments. It invites users to relive meaningful moments through sensory triggers and environmental cues.

Design Intent & Concept

Korea’s agrarian heritage placed a strong emphasis on manual labor, communal spaces, and deep-rooted family traditions. However, the rapid urbanization and digital transformation of recent decades have fragmented these social structures. Green Diary House is a contemporary response to this shift, seeking to reconcile the past and present through a spatial design that honors heritage while embracing therapeutic innovation.

The design’s core objectives include:

• Encouraging meaningful repetition to stimulate memory and reduce anxiety
• Integrating natural elements that contribute to sensory comfort and stress relief
• Structuring a spatial path that guides residents through a symbolic journey from the past (professional identity) to the present (personal grounding)

By combining traditional spatial archetypes with modern design strategies, the project reintroduces a rhythm to life that is both comforting and purposeful.

Spatial Strategies for Mental and Emotional Well-being

Green Diary House leverages architectural elements and planning to nurture mental health:

• Piloti and Landscape Continuity: The elevated structure allows for an uninterrupted green corridor that echoes historical agricultural layouts. This open ground plane strengthens the bond between human and nature, promoting a calm, grounded atmosphere.
• Memory Loop Pathway: The layout promotes cyclic movement through recognizable spaces—gardens, courtyards, and workshops—which helps dementia patients navigate and recall familiar patterns.
• Zoned Separation: The functional split between workshop zones and service areas underlines respect for autonomy and therapeutic activity, fostering agency while maintaining support infrastructure.
• Void as Metaphor: A central void houses a tree, symbolizing the patient’s journey of rediscovery and resilience. It is both a literal and figurative heart of the structure—where nature, memory, and healing meet.

Narrative Architecture and Empathetic Design

The architectural storytelling of Green Diary House is rooted in empathy. It draws from the lived experiences of dementia patients:

“The surrounding was unknown to me… yet the roughness of the bedsheet reminded me of my childhood.”

These poetic fragments are translated into tactile experiences within the space—textures, views, circulation, and even smells are curated to elicit recognition and comfort. Every material and design choice is intentional, aiming to reduce confusion and provide a sense of place. The tree that grows through the void is not just a visual feature, but a metaphor for the slow and powerful return of identity.

Balancing Urban Context with Personal Familiarity

A key innovation in this project is its conscious avoidance of isolating the patient. Unlike dementia villages that create entirely artificial environments, Green Diary House integrates into the urban fabric. This decision stems from a nuanced understanding that isolation, even when comfortable, may trigger disorientation or distress.

Instead, the project maintains a bridge with urban life—featuring recognizable functions like offices, cafes, and workshops—while softening them through green spaces and domestic-scale architecture. It provides familiarity without fabrication, anchoring memory in everyday interactions.

Architects: Leila Noori, Seyed Eteraf, Erfan Daei, Mohamad Javanmard

Recognition: People’s Choice Award entry of Mnemonic competition

Green Diary House is a compelling demonstration of how therapeutic architecture can transform the experience of aging, memory loss, and dementia care. Through spatial empathy, it restores dignity, reconnects individuals to their identity, and offers peace in a time of internal uncertainty. More than a shelter, it becomes a guide—a spatial diary where each room, path, and pause contributes to healing and remembrance.