Hord Coplan Macht is participating in “Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial” at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. The installation “Aging and The Meaning of Home” recreates a supportive living environment designed to support seniors with physical and mild cognitive impairments. The furnishings and lighting show how design can positively impact people’s comfort levels and enhance their abilities as they grow older.
The exhibition features 25 debut commissions that illustrate the ways design is embedded in contemporary life. Ranging from domestic objects to built environments to social systems, the exhibition considers home as an expansive framework with varying cultural and environmental contexts, and “making home” as a universal design practice. Organized in collaboration with Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, the seventh iteration of Cooper Hewitt’s Triennial series will be on view through Aug. 10, 2025.
Hord Coplan Macht, “Building Home” section (third floor)
Aging and the Meaning of Home recreates a supportive living environment for seniors, presented through the voices of two fictionalized residents with different needs as they age. This immersive space is an interactive, stimulating environment with architectural and interior design elements that are research-tested innovations calibrated to support seniors, including those faced with physical and mild cognitive impairments. Drawing on their design expertise, the HCM team also consulted with professionals specializing in aging, dementia, public health, and well-being. This full-scale installation features a common area where residents can experience daylight and the natural environment. The room is equipped with opportunities for multi-sensory engagement and choices about social activities for residents to engage in. The selection of seating, furnishings, and lighting show how design can positively impact our comfort levels and enhance our abilities in the spaces we call home as we grow older.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Architecture and Interior Design by Cynthia Shonaiya, Duncan Walker, Jerielle Ward, Rhonda Wyskiel, Angela Schmitz, Rebecca Carle. Furniture by Kwalu. Floor Covering by Mannington. Circadian Lighting by Lighting Environments. Backlit Window Panels by Omnify. Tovertafel and Idem Smart Clock by Eugeria. Memory Boxes by RussFab. Wall protection by Inpro. Fireplace by Net Zero Fire. Persona Consultation by Dr. Monte Harris & Lieutenant Colonel Iva M Grahek, US Army, Retired.
