Thanks to my grandmother’s courage in sharing her experience, I discovered how supporting one person can unite many, transforming love and struggle into empathy, awareness, community, and meaningful change.

This thesis represents the culmination of a significant academic and creative journey. It would have not been possible without the guidance, support and encouragement of many individuals to whom I am deeply gratefulF.irst and foremost, I would like to thank my grandparents, Ana María Zaleta and Eduardo Fernandez. This project was inspired by their deep bond and intense love. My grandfather was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia in 2021 and my grandmother became his full time caregiver. After years of trial and error, she managed to create a routine that works for both of them, allowing them to be at peace. Her strength and resilience inspired me to look deeper into their situation and seek a design oriented solution that has been built with empathy, collaboration and love. Abuela y abuelo, este proyecto es para ustedes. I also extend my gratitude to my thesis advisor, Michael Leube, for guiding me through this process, for pushing me to think ‘outside the box’, his valuable feedback, and for his academic support throughout the years. I am deeply grateful for all the professors at IE University who have shaped my last four years. I would like to express my gratitude to Clara Zarza, Maria Esteban Casañas and Ruxandra Iancu-Bratosin for always inspiring me and pushing me to do better, their intellectual and creative enthusiasm have left a huge impact on my academic formation. A very special thanks to Alzheimer’s México, Fundación Alzheimer Alguien Con Quien Contar, María del Carmen Robledo Ramirez, María del Mar Saniger Alba and Xóchitl G, for their invaluable contribution to the project, their constant kindness and support in the development of this project.Outside of my academic environment, I will forever be grateful to my family. To my parents, for allowing me to have this amazing opportunity, for always supporting me and for believing in me; to my other grandmother, for her words of wisdom and encouragement and unconditional love; to my siblings, for helping me find laughter and joy in moments of despair. I also want to thank my subconscious for always working in the background, even while I sleep, and for giving me breakthrough dreams that shaped my projects.

As a result of strict homogeneity and the shame culture in Japan, there comes a point where people disconnect and self alienate. This project aims to address these taboo conversations, and to argue that individuality and authenticity can create new, healthy, and sustainable forms of community.

I express my deepest gratitude for all of those who supported me throughout the course of this research and the final design. Thank you to my advisor, Michael Leube, whose positive energy and feedback were invaluable to my project. I also wish to thank my friends, family, and my sisters Paulina and Carolina, for their unconditional and constant support at every moment. Lastly, I am immensely grateful for all of the individuals who shared their experiences and insights with me, especially Sayu Fujii, my mentor in Tokyo during my months there, who helped me with translations and ensuring that this project is authentic and true to Japanese culture.

During my semester abroad in New York City, I struggled with loneliness, feeling isolated despite the bustling environment, sparking reflections on how urban spaces, diminished third spaces, and personal connections shape our emotional well-being and experiences of community.