I am an Assistant Professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Department of Industrial Design and the TU/e Expertise Center for Dementia & Technology (ECDT).
I am passionate about designing and researching multisensory and tangible technologies that positively impact the wellbeing of vulnerable users or communities by providing social, sensory, and aesthetic enrichment during everyday life.
Experience & education
Assistant Professor (2023 - Current)
Department of Industrial Design,
Eindhoven University of Technology,
Postdoc (2022 - '23)
TU/e Expertise Center for Dementia & Technology
PhD Candidate (2018 - '22)
Department of Industrial Design,
Eindhoven University of Technology
Guest Researcher (2018 - '22)
TRANZO Center for Care and Wellbeing,
Tilburg University
Research Assistant (2017 - '18)Research[x]Design
Department of Architecture, KU Leuven
Research Internship (2016)
Research[x]Design
Department of Architecture, KU Leuven
M.Sc. Engineering: Architecture (2015 - '17)
Faculty of Engineering Science, KU Leuven
B.Sc. Engineering: Architecture (2012 - '15)
Faculty of Engineering Science, KU Leuven
PhD students supervision
Sanne Beijer: Design-Focused Technology Implementation in Dementia Care
Alicia Valencia: Investigating Self-Directed Play in the Context of Dementia
Teis Arets: Co-Designing AI Technologies to Foster Social Connectedness in Dementia
Research Interests
In 2022, I obtained my PhD cum laude by investigating the beneficial effects of everyday sounds and soundscapes in technologies for people with dementia. I adopt an inclusive design approach by closely involving end-users and stakeholders such as vulnerable people, their social context, care practitioners, and policymakers in the design process of emerging technologies that address quality of life. I hold a master’s degree in engineering sciences: architecture and gained research experience in Human-Computer Interaction and interactive media architecture at the Research[x]Design group at KU Leuven. With a background in architecture, engineering sciences, and design, I strive to research in transdisciplinary settings by designing and evaluating tangible design artefacts that provide rich multisensory experiences in everyday environments, such as people’s homes or public spaces, including sensitive settings, such as care homes.
TOP Publications
Design Opportunities for Care Transitions in Dementia: Understanding Informal Caregivers' Experiences Through a Practice-Informed Approach
Maarten Houben, Rens Brankaert, Maudy Gosen, Veerle van Overloop, and Wijnand IJsselsteijn.
In Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI’ 24)
The Role of Everyday Sounds in Advanced Dementia Care
Maarten Houben, Rens Brankaert, Saskia Bakker, Gail Kenning, Inge Bongers, and Berry Eggen
In Proceedings of the 2020 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '20)
Designing for Everyday Sounds at Home with People with Dementia and their Partners.
Maarten Houben, Rens Brankaert, Gail Kenning, Inge Bongers and Berry Eggen
In Proceedings of the 2022 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI’ 22)
Foregrounding Everyday Sounds in Dementia
Maarten Houben, Rens Brankaert, Saskia Bakker, Gail Kenning, Inge Bongers, and Berry Eggen
In Proceedings of the 2019 Conference on Designing Interactive Systems (DIS '19)
For the full list, see Publications or Google Scholar
AWARDS
Best Paper Award CHI'20 (top 1%): 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi | Link
Best Paper Award DIS'19 (top 1%): 2019 ACM conference on Designing Interactive Systems, San Diego, California | Link
Media Architecture Award 2018: in category 'Animated Architecture' at the Media Architecture Biennale '18, Beijing | Link
BESIX Master's Thesis Award 2017: Faculty of Engineering Science at KU Leuven | Link
Research projects
Homing Compass: Designing for navigation and outdoor life in dementia (2022 - 2024) | Website
Eindhoven University of Technology – Alzheimer Nederland
Eindhoven University of Technology – Alzheimer Nederland
AGE-FI: Age Fiction(s) Investigations | Website
Eindhoven University of Technology – TU Delft – TU Twente
Eindhoven University of Technology – TU Delft – TU Twente
Everyday Sounds of Dementia: A ZonMW Create Health Project (2018 - 2021) | Website
Eindhoven University of Technology - Tilburg University - Slimmer Leven - Archipel
Sounds Like Home - CLICKNL Fieldlab Sense Of Home (2021) | Website
Eindhoven University of Technology - Fontys - Qwiek - Vitalis
MUURmelaar: an Interactive Facade with Architectural Value (2016 - 2018) | Website
Research[x]Design - KU Leuven - DMOA
Citizen Dialogue Kit for smart cities, citizen science and open data (2017 - 2018) | Website
OrganiCity - Research[x]Design - KU Leuven
Teaching
2024 - current: Human-Centered Design (DDB200): Co-Teacher
2022 - current: User Experience Design (0HM110): Expert & Guest Lecturer
2024: Stakeholder Perspectives in Design (DAB130): Co-Teacher
2018 - 2023: Inclusive Design and Thoughtful Technology (DEP001): Coach/Expert
2023: Bachelor End Project at TU/e Innovation Space - ISBEP: Challenge Owner
2018 - 2022: Master's Thesis Engineering Sciences: Architecture (B-KUL-H03N9A): Assessor
2018 - 2020: Acoustic Awareness Course, Sound of Science (7S5XO): CoachAcademic service
Organizing Committee
CHI 2024 Late Breaking Work Co-Chair: Co-Chair
Warm Technology Student Design Competition 2023: Competition Coordinator
Alzheimer Nederland en ZonMw Mix&Match Event 2023: Conference Committee
Warm Technology Student Design Competition 2022: Competition Coordinator
Program Committee Member
CHI 2025 Full Paper - Health Subcommittee: Associate Chair
CHI 2023 Late-Breaking Work: Associate Chair
CHI 2022 Late-Breaking Work: Associate Chair
Dementia Lab Conference 2022: 1st Editor Conference Proceedings
CHI 2021 Late-Breaking Work: Associate Chair
Dementia Lab Conference 2020/2021: Editor Conference Proceedings
Dementia Lab Conference 2019: Associate Chair
Reviewer
International Journal of Design: Journal Article,2024
Journal on Behaviour & Information Technology (BIT): Journal Article, 2024
Co Design International Journal of CoCreation in Design and the Arts: Journal Article, 2024
CHI 2024: Full Paper Track (Special Recognition for Outstanding Review)
CHI 2023: Full Paper Track (Special Recognition for Outstanding Review)
CUI 2023: Poster track
CHI 2022: Full Paper Track (2 Special Recognitions for Outstanding Reviews)
CHI 2021: Full Paper Track
DIS 2021: Full Paper Track
TEI 2021: Full Paper Track
Journal on Behaviour & Information Technology (BIT): Journal Article, 2021
Presentations & Workshops
Paper Presentation
CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Honolulu, May 2024
DIS Conference on Designing Interactive Systems, Pittsburgh, July 2023
DRS: Design Research Society Conference, Bilbao, June 2022
Dutch Post-CHI, Amsterdam, June 2022
CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, New Orleans, May 2022 (online program, watch video)
ACM CHI Workshop: 'TANGIBLE INTERACTION FOR WELL-BEING', New Orleans, May 2022
TEI Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, online, February 2022 (watch video)
Dementia Lab 2021, online, January 2021 (watch video)
DIS Conference on Designing Interactive Systems, online, July 2020 (watch video)
Dutch CHI, online, June 2020 (watch video)
CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, online, May 2020 (watch video)
ACM CHI Workshop: 'HCI at End of Life & Beyond', online, May 2020
CHI Down Under, online, May 2020
Dementia Lab Conference, Eindhoven, October 2019
ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems, San Diego CA, June 2019
Organiser Workshop & Courses
HCI Research in Sensitive Settings (CHI 24), Hawaiʻi, May 2024
Participatory Design for Whom? Designing Conversational User Interfaces for Sensitive Settings and Vulnerable Populations (CUI'23), Eindhoven, July 2023
Research in Sensitive Settings (CHI23), Hamburg, May 2023Dutch Design Week: DRIVE Works 2021: Cocreation with vulnerable people, Eindhoven, October 2021
Design Characteristics of Technology for People with Dementia, online, March 2021
'Zoek Het UIt' Conference, Lochal Tilburg, December 2019
Dementia Lab Conference, Newcastle, August 2018
Exhibitor
Dutch Design Week 2023: AGE FICTION(S) INVESTIGATIONS, Eindhoven, October 2023
Invited Talk:
EAISI – Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute, Eindhoven, June 2024
MOVE IT OR LOSE IT: 20 Years Geriatrics Department Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, November 2022
Ireland PDC Place (Participatory Design Conference) 2022, online, September 2022
The Netherlands Innovation Network in India and JAIN Mini-Symposium, online, February 2022
Dutch Design Week: DRIVE Live 2021 - Health, Eindhoven, October 2021 (watch video)
Webinar ‘Ontwerpen voor én met mensen met dementie’, online, June 2021 (watch video)
Zorg Innovatie Platform, Zuidoost Brabant, online, June 2021 (watch video)
Eindbijeenkomst Sense of Home; Warme technologie die je thuis laat voelen, Eindhoven, June 2021 (watch video)
LSH PPS dag 2021, online, March 2021
Dutch Design Week 2020, Embassy of Health, online, October 2020
29th Alzheimer Europe Conference, The Hague, October 2019
15e Bijeenkomst Lerend Netwerk Dementie, Rode Kruis Eindhoven, June 2019
DRIVE Festival: E-Health for Healthy Ageing, Eindhoven, October 2018
11e Bijeenkomst Lerend Netwerk Dementie, ZuidZorg Eindhoven, May 2018
PRESS
Professional/trade journals
Co-creatie bij het ontwikkelen van geluidsdragers voor mensen met dementie ZonMw June 2023
Industrieel ontwerp zet de mens in de zorg centraal Mestmag February 2023
Healthtech speelt een steeds grotere rol bij de kwaliteit van leven: Innovation Origins NL Mei 2021
Warme technologie: design met én voor mensen met dementie: Publicaties ZonMw Maart 2021
Dutch Design Week 2020, World Design Embassies: Co-design in de anderhalvemetermaatschappij October 2020
Nadenken over het beleefkussen vanuit Cees, Ellen en Piet: Zoekhetuit! December 2019
Kussen helpt voor beter contact bij dementie: Skipr Tea Keijl. 12, 9: 30–33. September 2019
MUURmelaar verrast voorbijgangers: Innovatief April 2018
A singing building to brighten your day: India Art N Design March 2018
Levende gevel begroet voorbijgangers met geluiden: ENTRR March 2018
Geluidsproject Muurmelaar nieuw kantoor DMOA: ARCHITECTURA March 2018
National / local media
Een muzikale gevel? Deze architecten kregen het voor elkaar: Het Laatste Nieuws February 2019
Gevel reageert op voorbijgangers: ROB-TV March 2018
Levende gevel maakt geluid wanneer je passeert: Nieuwsblad March 2018
News
The memory of sound CURSOR November 2022
Tumbler on the shortlist for IxDA' 2022 Interaction Awards IxDA March 2022
Everyday Sounds of Dementia: Designing Warm Technology for and with People with Dementia: MMI Platform January 2022
Onderzoek naar inzet 3D-geluid voor meer thuisgevoel: Vitalis Nieuws Maart 2021
PhD Students Are Valued Members of Our Research Activity: TU/e LinkedIn January 2020
Contact maken dankzij het VITA beleefkussen: Slimmer Leven December 2019
Eerste resultaten workshops Everyday Sounds of Dementia: Slimmer Leven April 2019
MUURmelaar wins the 2018 Media Architecture Awards: KU Leuven Nieuws March 2019
Kom zelf de MUURmelaar ervaren!: Dag van de Wetenschap 2018 November 2018
Levende Leuvense gevel begroet voorbijgangers met geluiden: KU Leuven Nieuws March 2018
Masterproefprijzen: Geniaal: Tijdschrift Faculteit Ingenieurswetenschappen October 2017