As the global population ages and dementia rates rise, the design of interior spaces is becoming a critical factor in supporting the independence and dignity of those living with cognitive impairments. Assistant Professor Nadim Adi, PhD, of Texas State University's Department of Interior Design, is at the forefront of this movement through his research, a pioneering university course, and the development of NuroNest, an early-stage AI platform designed to identify environmental risks in everyday interiors.
NuroNest aims to analyze images of interior spaces and flag features that may hinder individuals with dementia or age-related cognitive changes. These include low contrast between furniture and floors, unclear pathways, visual clutter, and weak wayfinding cues. The tool is intended to support, not replace, designers, healthcare professionals, occupational therapists, and caregivers. 'If we design for physical accessibility, why should we not also design for cognitive accessibility?' Adi said. 'The built environment itself can - and should - be part of the care equation.'
The development of NuroNest is grounded in over a decade of research in dementia-supportive design and environmental psychology. While the platform is still in its early stages, Adi and his team are refining the technology and seeking research validation and partnerships. The long-term vision is to make dementia-supportive design more accessible to families and organizations that sense a space 'doesn't feel right' but lack access to a specialist.
Adi's academic work complements his product development. With Dr. Mais Aljunaidy, assistant professor of psychology at Texas State, he co-authored An Introduction to Architectural Psychopathology, a textbook focusing on how interior design can support people with mental disorders, including dementia. The pair also developed Texas State's interdisciplinary architectural psychopathology course, offered starting fall 2025, which trains students to design spaces that support individuals with conditions such as autism, dementia, depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. The course has been covered by Texas State News, Texas Public Radio, and Community Impact.
Adi's peer-reviewed research includes a systematic study on architecture and mental disorders in HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, and work on using virtual reality to assess elderly and dementia-friendly hospital design. He has also given a TEDx talk on preparing buildings for an aging population and hosts conversations on design and mental health through Mental Design Labs.
The implications of this work are significant. By integrating cognitive accessibility into design education and developing tools like NuroNest, Adi is helping to shift the paradigm from reactive care to proactive environmental design. This could lead to safer, more supportive homes and facilities for millions of people, reducing stress for both individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary course at Texas State is training the next generation of designers to consider mental health in their work, potentially transforming the industry.
Adi and his team are actively seeking research collaborators and pilot partners, including community groups, senior living providers, healthcare organizations, and technology partners. Those interested in advancing this technology and improving environments for older adults can connect with Adi through his LinkedIn profile or faculty page.
