A new exhibit on display at New York’s Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, part of “Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial,” features 25 commissions and installations that illustrate the ways design is embedded in contemporary life—including senior living.
The installation “Aging and the Meaning of Home,” designed and created by Hord Coplan Macht (HCM; Baltimore), recreates a supportive living environment for older adults with physical and mild cognitive impairments.
Museum exhibit on senior living
The interactive, full-scale exhibit includes architectural and interior design elements. For example, a common area shows where residents can experience daylight and the natural environment, while the furnishings and lighting demonstrate how design can positively impact people’s comfort levels and enhance their abilities as they age.
Cynthia Shonaiya, principal at HCM, says that a central aspect of the project is a household model that reinforces the importance of creating intimate, communal settings that encourage social engagement and well-being.
“By integrating senior living into the broader conversation about how we define ‘home,’ the exhibit challenges outdated notions,” Shonaiya says. “It expands the understanding of what it means to create a supportive, enriching living environment.”
The exhibit runs through August. For more information, visit www.cooperhewitt.org.
