Lisa Kolleman

Out of Balance

I came up with this theme based on my own experience: I've had type 1 diabetes for two years. Mentally, I sometimes found it difficult. What I missed was a place to connect with others in the same situation.

In the Netherlands, over 1.2 million people have diabetes, and that number is growing. It's expected that by 2040, there will be around 1.3 million with type 2 and 131,000 with type 1—an increase of 30% and 20%, respectively.

With Out of Balance, I strive to create a safe, welcoming space where people with diabetes can talk openly about their mental health and the daily challenges it brings. There are no set rules: everyone is free to find the space that best suits their needs at that moment.

I'm convinced this space is a valuable addition to existing care. Here, the focus isn't on blood sugar levels, but on how someone truly feels.

The space consists of three different rooms, surrounded by a hallway that symbolises the life path of someone with diabetes—a path without an endpoint. The rooms represent three common emotions: frustration, fatigue, and pride.