Smaran
From Architecture Thesis to Digital Care Ecosystem
Project Description
An integrated dementia care solution - 6 month of architecture research, evolved into a digital companion when I realized caregivers needed support just as much as patients.
My role
Architect | Product Designer | Researcher
Overview:
While working on my architecture thesis, I discovered a heartbreaking reality: people with dementia were living behind metal bars in care facilities and homes - not as punishment, but as the only solution caregivers knew for safety.
Smaran is an empathetic care solution designed to promote independence, safety, and emotional well-being for people with dementia, while giving caregivers and families reassurance through gentle, human-centered support.
The Journey:
While designing a dementia care center for my architecture thesis, I spent 6 months at care facilities in Bangalore. I discovered people with dementia living behind metal bars—not as punishment, but because caregivers had no better safety options. I designed a care center using architectural principles: looped pathways, vegetation wayfinding, no railings - dignity through design.
Part 1: Architecture Foundation
Where it all started: My architecture thesis (2023-2024)
Research Phase
Where it all started: My architecture thesis (2023-2024)
6 months of ethnographic
3-4 dementia centers in Bangalore and 4-5 od age home in Udupi, 1 in Pune
Direct observation of daily behaviors and movement patterns
Stakeholder interviews with doctors, caregivers, and families
Family surveys revealing exhaustion and fear
Studying the best practices and research on dementia.
Key Insights
The design principles are found with literature study and categorized into various themes which can aid a person with dementia. The overarching themes in these studies are orientation, light, and sensory elements.
Leveraging the city's "Garden City" heritage, I designed wayfinding through native vegetation - intuitive, beautiful, and culturally familiar.
More details of the research
Design Response: Physical Environment
In India, dementia is often misunderstood as a natural part of aging rather than a medical condition. With limited awareness, scarce care infrastructure, and a cultural tendency to keep caregiving within families, people with dementia frequently face isolation, repeated routines, and a loss of independence. Caregivers - often family members - carry a heavy emotional and physical burden, with few resources to support them.
Leveraging the city's "Garden City" heritage, I designed wayfinding through native vegetation - intuitive, beautiful, and culturally familiar.
Physical Environment
Loop-based design that embraces natural movement patterns
Vegetation wayfinding using color-coded native plants
No railings or locks - gentle curves guide people naturally
Climate-responsive design for Bangalore's seasons
The Architecture Solution addressed patient needs:
Safe, dignified environment
Natural wayfinding
Freedom to move independently
The Realisation:
After graduation, I kept thinking about what I'd observed. The physical environment helped patients, but caregivers - often exhausted family members - still struggled daily.
They needed:
Daily task management support
Peace of mind about patient safety
Connection to medical help
Memory support tools
That's when I returned to the project - this time as a product designer - to create a digital companion that completes the care ecosystem.
Part 2: The Digital Companion
After graduating, I continued researching on dementia care. I realised the architecture solved patient needs, but caregivers were still:
Exhausted from managing daily routines
Anxious about patient safety when not present
Struggling to coordinate medical care
Lacking tools for memory engagement
The opportunity:
A digital companion that:
Gives structure to daily care (medication, tasks)
Provides peace of mind (gentle safety tracking)
Connects family, caregivers, and medical staff
Engages patients with memory support
The Digital Companion
User Flow
Architecture principles meet interaction design
The app's navigation mirrors the physical care center's design:
Looped flows (no dead ends)
Home screen as anchor (like a central courtyard)
Clear decision points
Familiar patterns that build trust
Wireframing and Early Explorations
I sketched multiple approaches, testing layouts that would be simple enough for dementia patients while comprehensive enough for caregivers:
Key decisions:
Single-task screens → Reduces cognitive load
Large tap targets → Accessible for aging users
Persistent help button → Safety first
Confirmation messages → Reduces anxiety
The Home as an Interaction Anchor
The splash leads into a calm, familiar home screen - the daily anchor patients return to for clarity and reassurance.
Daily Routine (Medication + Tasks)
Smaran simplifies daily routines by combining medication and everyday tasks into clear, step-by-step flows. Each action ends with reassurance, helping patients feel confident and caregivers stay informed.
Assistant
AI assistance to provide real-time support for people with dementia, so they can learn about everything by just talking.
Reminders
Reminders for logging the status to keep a track of daily routines.
Help & Safety
A persistent help button ensures patients are never left unsupported, instantly alerting caregivers and providing peace of mind.
Beyond the Core Flows
Onboarding, settings, and supporting interfaces build out the full product ecosystem, designed to empower caregivers and families without overwhelming patients.
What This Project Taught Me
Impact & Recognition
Top 6/150 thesis projects at Manipal University
First integrated architecture + technology solution for dementia care
Methodology pioneered human-centered design for vulnerable populations
From Architecture to Product Design
This project didn't end with graduation - it transformed my entire approach to design. This project taught me that whether you're designing buildings or building software, the fundamental question remains the same: Does this preserve human dignity?
The Broader Mission
In a world racing toward AI and automation, designers have a responsibility to ensure technology serves humanity - not the other way around. Whether it's a yellow tree guiding someone home or an AI that anticipates needs without feeling invasive, the best design is invisible until it's needed.
Global Relevance
India's Aging Reality: 340M seniors by 2050 (current: 140M)
Design Opportunity: Proactive solutions for cognitive accessibility
Career Mission: Scaling empathetic design through multiple platforms
"Design should make people feel more human, not less."
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