HUMAN ROOMS™ is an immersive experiential concept that can assist participants to reduce stress, induce relaxation and meditative states within a peaceful and harmonious environment that is self directed.
The combination of content - video, sound and colour lighting sequences - are developed to suit the needs of the participant group and is influenced by research, place space, preference, embodied memories, biophilia and 25 years experience of designing performing arts environments. The content is delivered by a system which allows the participants to have control and engage with a variety of options. The interior architecture of the room is designed to absorb and reflect the sensory content and create an atmosphere that enables participants to re connect with themselves and the environment presented in the room.
Efterpi Soropos is a Visual Artist and Designer. With a background in performing arts lighting design, Efterpi has spent many years fascinated by the way combinations of light, sound and image can affect audiences, guiding them through spectrums of emotion and sensation. When her mother Evangalia, died of breast cancer in 1995 a process began that both devastated and enlightened her to research and develop sensory concepts that would create a better perception of space and environment through the senses for vulnerable people.
As part of her Masters Research, Efterpi began a creative partnership with Monash Medical Centre as Artist in Residence in 2007, to research the effects of the interior environments of hospitals in palliative care units on patients. Following on from her research Efterpi developed an immersive interactive artwork in 2008 called the ‘Disambiguation Room’ housed in McCulloch House, Inpatient Palliative Care Unit at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton,Victoria. The aim of the project was to discover how effective the artwork would be in reducing anxiety, stress, fear and pain for patients and families. The room is now a permanent multifunctional art space and received the Primary Care Award, Australian Arts and Health Awards in 2009.
Human Rooms™ was established in 2008. Since then Efterpi has continued research and development of the Human Rooms™ concept as an effective interior/spatial and therapeutic intervention for psychological relief of the symptoms of stress, fear and anxiety during mental, chronic or terminal illness.
In February 2014, Efterpi completed a Churchill Fellowship investigating various art programs and Dementia design in culturally specific settings to solidify the work of Human Rooms™ in aged care. As a result of this fellowship Efterpi has collaborated with Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria and Opaque Multimedia as the artistic consultant, to develop a new innovative experiential game for people living with Dementia as well as developing new systems, programs and apps that will utilise the Human Rooms(TM) for greater accessibility for residential aged care and the wider community.