Knowledge Sharing

As a specialist in dementia-enabling environments, Sara regularly shares insights through presentations, workshops, and industry forums. Her talks explore the critical relationship between design and wellbeing for people living with dementia, drawing on her architectural practice, ongoing PhD research, and industry leadership roles. Sara is committed to advancing understanding of how thoughtful environmental design can support dignity, autonomy, and quality of life for people experiencing cognitive change.

Recent Engagements

• Dementia Foundation NZ - Online Presentation on Designing Supportive Environments (May 2025)

• Australian Frailty Network - Research Poster Presentation (February 2025)

• International Dementia Conference Sydney - Presentation on Urban Design Research Report (September 2024)

• Dementia Spotlight Podcast - The Use of Colour and Patterns in Dementia Design. (2024)

  • https://www.buzzsprout.com/2117750/episodes/14593178

• Colour and Pattern in Dementia Care Environments - Blog (2024)

  • https://dementiaallianceinternational.org/blog/colour-and-pattern-in-dementia-care-environments

• Balancing Risk and Engagement - The Dutch Approach to Dementia Design - Blog (2023)

  • https://dementiaallianceinternational.org/blog/balancing-risk-and-engagement-the-dutch-approach-to-dementia-design

• NZ Association of Gerontology - Urban Design Research Poster Presentation (Sept 2023)

• Alzheimers NZ - Co-presenter for “Let’s talk about hope” (Sept 2023)

• NZ Aged Care Consortium - “Designing in response to the vision for the way of life” (Nov 2023)

• Professional networker across architecture and aged care sectors

• Lived Experience Expert providing insights for user-centred design approaches to disability and aged-care