WHAT’S AN ARCHITECT DOING IN A PLACE LIKE THIS?…MY JOURNEY FROM FORM TO FUNCTION TO FACILITATE AGING IN PLACE

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Connor

Evidence-based, user-centered design guided an architecture journey focused on promoting activity performance and supporting aging in place. Early recognition emerged from a social psychology background and an education in environment and behavior research, accessibility and falls research, and development of early accessibility standards. Subsequent roles included VA geriatric rehabilitation research architecture, co-founding universal design efforts, enabling remote home modification programs, and serving in assistive technology and environmental access leadership, with occupational therapists as a consistent core collaboration.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Background and motivation

Evidence-based, user-centered design

Architecture education and the human needs gap

Research, standards, and programs

Environment and behavior research training

Accessibility standards and falls research

Remote home modifications and aging-in-place remodeling

Roles and collaborations

VA geriatric rehabilitation research architecture

Center on Universal Design and Universal Design principles

Assistive technology leadership and OT collaboration

FAQs

How did the author’s background influence the design focus on aging in place?

The journey began with evidence-based, user-centered design and a foundation in social psychology, leading to early awareness of a mismatch between architects’ assumptions and the people they design for.

What educational and funding pathways shaped the author’s career?

Environment and behavior research at Georgia Tech, along with funding for accessibility and falls research, supported graduate training and later work that created early accessibility standards.

What recurring collaboration shaped the projects described?

Collaboration with occupational therapists (OTs) was a common thread across projects, informing how the architect functioned as research director within an OT program.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Connor