Department of Architectural Engineering
104 Engineering Unit A
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Contacts: Amy MacIntyre, PHONE: (814) 863-0075, E-MAIL: amacintyre@engr.psu.edu
Joel Solkoff, PHONE: (814) 272-0130, Cell: (215)818-7847, E-MAIL: jes535@psu.edu
Celebration of the Use of Virtual Reality to Improve Housing for the Elderly and Disabled
University Park, PA - On Tuesday, May 3, at 10a.m. Penn State’s Department of Architectural Engineering and its Smart Spaces Center for adaptive aging in community will be celebrating progress made in a coordinated effort to reduce the cost of housing for Pennsylvania’s elderly and disabled residents today and in the future. The media are invited to attend the celebration at the virtual reality display lab on the third floor of Engineering Unit C, in the Immersive Construction (ICon) Laboratory.
The celebration will:
- Demonstrate the use of full-scale 3-D virtual models on large display screens for evaluating cost-effective designs to allow for aging in place. The animated model based on the Blueroof housing initiative in McKeesport, Pa., is the work of graduate student Sonali Kumar. The virtual reality approach allows for an avatar to enter the wheel-chair accessible cottage and evaluate tasks such as making coffee in a kitchen to appropriately design for residents who desire housing where they can grow old without having to move to a costly institution.
- Allow participants to meet the leaders of Blueroof Technologies in McKeesport, via a live video connection. Blueroof is using prefabricated housing with embedded sensors for improving user interaction with their residence. The environment can inform a resident when to take medication, monitor for falls (e.g., calling 911 if the resident slips in the shower and does not get up); and provide televised links to medical facilities reducing the costs for routine medical care.
- Show the work of the Computer Integrated Construction Research Program directed by John Messner, associate professor of architectural engineering, which is focused on applying advanced computer modeling to improve the design, construction and operation processes for buildings.
- Present the work of architectural engineering students who are being trained in using 3-D experienced-based design. Virtual modeling is rapidly becoming an important tool for the construction industry, providing the ability to make changes in health care and other facilities before construction actually takes place.
- Provide an opportunity for residents of Addison Court, a State College independent living facility for elderly and disabled individuals, to see what the future will bring and serve as critics who can use their life experiences to aid in the design process.
- Highlight, among others, the work of Richard Behr, director of Penn State’s Smart Spaces Center, who has been leading an interdisciplinary effort to address the needs of the rapidly increasing number of baby boomer Americans who wish to age successfully in their own homes.
- Recognize contributions made by the Raymond A. Bowers Program for Excellence in Design and Construction of the Built Environment, the Smart Spaces Center, the Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence, and other private and public organizations who are working with Penn State to improve life for Pennsylvania’s elderly and disabled.
- Using a scooter from Amigo Mobility International, Blueroof will begin to experiment on how to help residents with mobility disabilities make better use of the technology around them. The Amigo scooter will have an iPad 2 and other remote devices so residents can turn the lights on and off and perform other functions without leaving the chair.
After Florida, Pennsylvania has the highest per capita of elderly of any state in the union. Not all news about health care costs is bad news. Come learn about some of the good news.
Computer Integrated Construction Research Program:
Immersive Construction Lab (ICon Lab):
Smart Spaces Center:
Immersive Construction Lab
306 Engineering Unit C
University Park, PA 16802
Directions to ICon Lab from College and Allen:
Cross College Avenue at the Allen Street red light in front of Corner Room and walk straight up behind the Hammond Building. Walk towards the Foundry Park parallel to Engineering Units A and B. You will then see a park on your front and a 3 story brick building on your right (the Engineering Unit C). Turn right and proceed straight on the sidewalk until you see the elevator lobby on your left side. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Turn right when exiting the elevator and proceed down the corridor. The ICon Lab is on your right side (306 Engineering Unit C).
Wheelchair Accessible Directions:
Cross College Avenue on the right side (in front of Moyer Jewelry) on Allen Street and take the ramp to the main gate entrance. Continue straight up the main gate entrance in front of Sackett until you get to the end of the building. Proceed left at the end of Sackett and bear left again to go behind the building. Then proceed parallel behind Sackett following it until you reach a small alleyway behind the Engineering Units A and B. Turn right down the alleyway and proceed straight until you reach the end of the Engineering Units. Bear left and on the immediate right you will see a door with the elevator lobby. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Turn right when exiting the elevator and proceed down the corridor. The ICon Lab is on your right side (306 Engineering Unit C).
