Phuc Thu Ha Nguyen

Memory Rings - Inclusive Interaction Design for Outdoor Community Engagement: A Study with Older Adults

Memory Rings is an interactive installation concept designed for an inclusive sensory garden in Mungret, Limerick. It was developed from research into older adults’ experiences of outdoor community environments, conducted as part of the ARISE Project in partnership with Limerick City and County Council and community organisations.

At the centre of the installation stands an old apple tree, surrounded by concentric rings inspired by tree growth rings. Each ring represents a different period in Mungret's history, turning the space around the tree into a journey through time. As visitors walk into a ring, hidden sensors detect their movement and trigger the calls of bird species associated with that period. The birdsong brings back sounds of species that were once common in the area but have since become rare or disappeared, allowing visitors to experience fragments of Mungret’s changing natural soundscape.

The installation was designed to offer different ways to engage with the space, through free movement, listening, or conversation. Visitors can discover more through an information board that presents the history of the garden and the surrounding area using aerial imagery and historical records. Bird information signs placed around the installation provide further stories about the species, their presence in the area and how their numbers have changed over time.

Through movement, sound, and local narratives, Memory Rings aims to make the changing landscape of Mungret something to be experienced rather than simply read about. It invites visitors to explore the past, reconnect with nature and reflect on the memories and stories that a place can hold.