Social Oasis – SmartAging Community Corner Pilot at Toivokoti
12 August 2026
The Social Oasis at Toivokoti in Lappeenranta is Finland’s first SmartAging Community Corner pilot. It is a living, user-centred environment that brings together bio-based materials, circular design, multisensory soundscapes, activity and rehabilitation games, and smart technologies to support the well-being, independence and social engagement of older adults.
The pilot was developed around the needs of residents and care professionals through collaboration between researchers, designers, startups, companies and education partners. It provides a real-life setting in which new solutions can be introduced, tested and validated with users.
The Social Oasis is designed to evolve throughout the pilot. Feedback from residents and personnel will guide the continued development of the space and help identify which solutions provide meaningful value in everyday care.
The pilot also explores the potential of the Social Oasis as a replicable, drop-in concept for assisted-living facilities in Finland. Lessons from Toivokoti will support wider stakeholder engagement, future partnerships and the further development of age-friendly services and care environments.
Contributors to the pilot include Interesting Times Gang, Tuntu Design Oy, Rehaboo Oy, Hoivita Oy, Käpälämäki Vintage Oy, XAMK University of Applied Sciences Fiber Laboratory and DemoDesignLab, Mystipuu Oy, SAMK University of Applied Sciences, Fibenol OÜ, OrganoClick, Lignosphere and the University of Jyväskylä Nano Science Center, and Sampo Ammattiopisto (Integration program for practical nurse students into the pilot).
Interactive map showing pilot locations. Use the arrow keys to move the map view and the zoom controls to zoom in or out. Press the Tab key to navigate between markers. Press Enter or click a marker to view pilot project details.


