College of Design - School of Building Construction - Ph.D. Proposal Defense - Ibrahim Bilau

Ph.D. Proposal Defense

School of Building Construction

Georgia Institute of Technology

Ph.D. Student: Ibrahim Bilau

Date: Wednesday, April 08, 2026

Time: 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. (EST)

Location: Flex Space, 1st Floor, John and Joyce Caddell Building, 280 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30332-0155

Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27216539251181?p=ax47UODE2vyLFmaqA2

Meeting ID: 272 165 392 511 81
Passcode: tn6vh9St

Committee Members:

Dr. Eunhwa Yang, Advisor 

School of Building Construction 

Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Bruce Walker 

School of Psychology 

Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Ece Erdogmus 

College of Architecture, Art and Construction

Clemson Universityy

Dr. Hyeokhyen Kwon 

School of Medicine

Emory University

Dr. Hui Cai 

School of Architecture

Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Omobolanle Ogunseiju 

School of Building Construction 

Georgia Institute of Technology

Dissertation Title: Designing Cognitive-Friendly Kitchens: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Visual Accessibility and Adaptive Technology for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract:

Aging in place is a priority for many older adults, yet cognitive decline can make everyday household activities increasingly difficult. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, often affects instrumental activities of daily living such as meal preparation, and kitchen environments play a central role in supporting or hindering functional independence. However, most kitchen designs prioritize aesthetics and storage efficiency rather than cognitive accessibility, and empirical evidence on how kitchen cabinet design influences cognitive load, physical activity level, motivation, and task performance among older adults with MCI remains limited.

This dissertation investigates how visually accessible kitchen cabinet designs can support functional independence for older adults with MCI using an evidence-based and user-centered approach. Drawing on Cognitive Load Theory, Environmental Press Theory, and Self-Determination Theory, the research examines how design features that improve visual accessibility may reduce cognitive and physical demands during everyday kitchen tasks. The dissertation comprises three complementary studies combining experimental research, virtual reality simulation, and participatory co-design methods.

The first study examines the effects of open shelving in a physical kitchen environment through a within-subject experiment with eleven older adults diagnosed with MCI. Using eye-tracking, wrist-worn accelerometry, task duration recordings, and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory alongside post-task interviews, the study finds that open shelving reduces unnecessary physical movement and task duration while improving perceived competence, although concerns about aesthetics and visual clutter influence acceptance.

The second study extends these findings in a controlled virtual reality environment with seventeen older adults, including both individuals with MCI and cognitively healthy participants. Linear mixed-effects modeling shows that open shelving significantly reduces task duration and physical activity level while altering gaze-based indicators associated with cognitive load, and qualitative interviews reveal that increased visual accessibility facilitates cognitive offloading during task performance.

The third study translates the experimental findings into a participatory co-design workshop with older adults with MCI and their care partners. Using a structured card-based activity, participants generate preferred features for adaptive kitchen cabinets, with strong preferences emerging for solutions that balance visibility with household aesthetics, including dynamic glass cabinets, pull-out storage trays, and passive automation technologies. Expert validation by occupational and physical therapists further supports the feasibility of these adaptive cabinet concepts.

This dissertation contributes to research on cognitive aging in place by providing empirical evidence that visual accessibility in kitchen cabinet design can reduce task burden and improve efficiency during everyday kitchen activities. By integrating experimental evaluation, immersive simulation, and participatory design, the research advances a multidisciplinary framework for designing cognitively accessible home environments that support independence among older adults, particularly those living with MCI.