Lieke van de Riet

What if walking no longer comes naturally, your hands shake constantly, your balance fails you, and every movement becomes a conscious effort? 

Parkinson’s disease is one of the fastest-growing neurological disorders in the world. The disease not only affects movement and cognitive function, but also changes the way people experience their surroundings and how relationships can evolve. 

This design is an experiential space for everyone affected by Parkinson’s: people with the disease, their loved ones, and other visitors. It is a place for raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and connecting. Through spatial interventions, symptoms such as tremors, freezing, balance issues, and the loss of automatic movement are translated into physical, spatial experiences. This allows the impact of Parkinson’s on everyday activities to be felt. A glimpse into the world of someone with Parkinson's disease. 

Familiar elements such as a staircase, a hallway, a floor, and a handrail form the starting point for experiences that invite visitors to view movement and spatial perception differently. There is also space for connection, reflection, and examples of how an environment can contribute to a more pleasant daily life when Parkinson’s becomes part of one’s life. 

The design invites visitors to experience firsthand the challenges that people with Parkinson’s may face. By allowing loved ones to experience the impact of Parkinson’s, I hope the design contributes to greater understanding, connection, and support within the changing dynamics of families.