LEAFE: A Guide to the Outside

A Tactovisual Handrail Design for Dementia-Friendly Wayfinding

LEAFE is a multisensory handrail system designed for dementia-friendly spaces, combining texture, light, and projections to promote intuitive navigation. It gently guides residents with dementia toward outdoor areas, supporting their orientation, comfort, and independence.
Strijp-S
Livability
This project is part of
4TU Design United Expo
B3
Klokgebouw
Klokgebouw 50
5617 AB

Entrance fee

DDW ticket required

By

LEAFE UT

Hosted by

Design United

Opening hours

11:00
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18:00
11:00
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18:00
11:00
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18:00
11:00
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18:00
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Tactile
Tactile
Free Wifi Free wifi available
Toilets Toilets available
Wheelchair Friendly Fully wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair Friendly Toilet Wheelchair friendly toilet available

Follow

Sensory feedback

The biophilic handrail features an evolving wood texture that becomes increasingly pronounced as users approach the entrance to the garden. Beneath the rail, an ambient, pulsing green light provides subtle directional guidance. Additionally, a projector casts garden-themed vegetation onto the wall, with the projected visuals growing larger as users move closer to the garden entrance. This provides continuous sensory feedback through the handrail, while maintaining its primary safety function. The combination of tactile, visual, and interactive cues, reinforce the sense of wayfinding in the right direction. As a result, individuals may require less assistance from caregivers to navigate independently toward the garden.

Collaboration with care facilities

This project was developed in collaboration with the Zwanenhof Care Facility, located in Zenderen, and the University of Twente. Using persona-driven insights from Zwanenhof staff, we created a prototype grounded in theoretical research. The design aims to promote independence, confidence, and a greater sense of autonomy for people with dementia.

LEAFE - Concept Art
LEAFE - Concept Art
Tim van der Kooi