TECNOSOCIAL 2026 BEST PRACTICE AWARD FOR THE SMART MIRROR FOR PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER’S

MALAGA / 19-20 March 2026

Our Healthy Architecture & City research group from the University of Seville has been awarded one of the 2026 Best Practice Awards at the TecnoSocial scientific forum, held in Málaga. The recognition highlights the value of the innovative prototype of a smart mirror with selective reflection, designed specifically to improve the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

The winning proposal, under the title “Architectural design with technologies adapted to cognitive impairment: smart mirror prototype”, was developed by researchers Santiago Quesada-García, Pablo Valero-Flores, and María Lozano-Gómez.

María Lozano, Santiago Quesada, and Pablo Valero receiving the Good Practice Award at TECNOSOCIAL Andalucía 2026

The home as a safe ‘prosthetic environment

The major innovation of this device lies in its holistic, preventative approach. A frequent symptom in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s is visual agnosia: individuals experiencing this cognitive decline fail to recognise their own reflection, frequently triggering severe episodes of panic, distress, and disorientation.

To prevent this, the smart mirror features a facial recognition sensor linked to a mirror fitted with advanced smart film technology. The moment it detects the presence of the person living with the condition, the glass automatically turns opaque, allowing the mirror to go unnoticed by them. Through this type of smart object, the home is transformed into what researchers term a ‘prosthetic environment’—one capable of interacting with occupants and compensating for specific impairments and needs.

A twofold benefit: This solution not only safeguards the user’s emotional stability while promoting their independence, but also substantially eases the caregiving burden, stress, and anxiety experienced by both family and professional carers.

Real-world validation and institutional backing

The prototype has already been successfully validated in real-world settings through the VIVAlz project (US.24-17), an initiative funded by the Regional Ministry of Development, Territorial Articulation, and Housing of the Regional Government of Andalusia.

The setting for this accolade, TecnoSocial 2026 (organised by the University of Málaga in partnership with the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Málaga Provincial Council, and Málaga City Council), is thus confirmed as the epicentre of the shift towards a new social welfare model driven by digital innovation.