Artist Biography
Kaylee Carver is a 21 year old emerging designer from Abington, Massachusetts, currently completing her senior year as an architecture student. Kaylee has just completed her senior thesis – a final project of creativity in dedication to her Nana that is currently in a care center for people with Dementia. Design came naturally to Kaylee from a young age, and always being surrounded by it in her daily life. She currently works at a shop in Lynnfield MA that focuses on residential design. In addition to her academic and professional career, Kaylee finds interest in activities such as fitness and being outdoors with her friends and family. As she enters the next stage in her life, going from being in school to the professional environment, Kaylee is excited to learn and contribute to the field of architecture and design.
Thesis Abstract
Harborlight Cognitive Care and Support Center is a home and community designed to assist patients and caregivers that are battling Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Built at 57 Harrison Ave in Boston MA, the project includes living for patients, in-house medical and medicinal care, therapy spaces for all users during and after the care, ample hobby spaces, and additional spaces for families and other visitors. The goal of this project is to involve the patients in the community as much as possible, as well as make them feel like they have a purpose with unique and diverse activities.
The care center is designed to enhance communication, adaptability, and cognitive senses for the patients. Ensuring that all levels of advancement of the disease feel that they have the ability to interact with spaces that support their needs. Public spaces like the event space, food court, family rooms, as well as the community rooms. Community rooms were designed for special events like volunteers and students reading to patients, as well as therapy dog visits and more. The architecture of the space allows for plenty of natural and artificial lighting that can be adjusted to the users needs, as well as making the space feel home-like and not sterile nor bland. The overall design is built with the intention of adapting to as many needs as possible, supporting cognitive abilities, and healing all user groups in as many aspects as possible, socially, mentally, or physically.