The Symphony Music Therapy Center for senior and caregiver wellness (with special focus on Alzheimer’s disease) is an experimental extension of “Symphony at Midway” in Chicago, IL, a center for post-acute care especially for seniors with memory loss disorders. The center would exist to combat Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia with enjoyable mental and sensorial stimulation through activities involving music. This includes counseling, dancing, music-listening, performance, yoga, and music-making. The center would also exist to heal the relationship between care-giver and senior.

The Writer's Theatre- according to the organization's website (writerstheatre.org)- is "a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning, internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects, led by Founder and Design Principal Jeanne Gang, FAIA, in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander." 

From left to right, users are seniors with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, their care-givers, volunteers, case-workers, and nursing staff.

This concept image was inspired by the playful and whimsical idea of a rainbow. For many cultures rainbows represent life, hope, potential, and transformation. This concept alludes to the fact that the point in which we begin, is very different from the point in which we end, but there is something beautiful to be found during and at the end of a journey, even the unexpected. The key aspects of this concept are transformation, retrospection, and entertainment.

The floor plan was designed around the angles of the pre-existing theater as well as being inspired by the circles within the concept image. Within each space the user has some interaction with music.

Within the reception space, guests are greeted with an photograph installation capturing moments relating to music and memories.

Within the music library, users can pick a record to“check out” and take home to listen to if they have a record player or grab records from the shelf and listen to in the listening pods.

This render depicts listening tables, at which users can sit and listen to music by themselves, or share with a care-taker. Listening pods are shown on the left.

This render depicts a “help station.” If care-takers need help with their seniors, are a little turned around, or need a little help with doling out medicine- nurses and staff are on hand to help.

Users can dance in this space and enjoy themed events.