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Lawrence, KS - The American Institute of Architects has announced that KU’s New Cities Housing lab will receive an Upjohn Research Grant of $30,000 to continue its work on senior housing and the deployment of Population Health Strategies.
The Principal Investigator for the grant is Associate Professor Joe Colistra. Colistra and his research associates will be constructing a mock-up of a prototype housing unit that collects biometric data used in Population Health strategies.
Colistra says, “We’re trying to develop a multifamily prototype housing unit that demonstrates best practices in aging-in-place strategies and tele-health technology. We will also investigate prefabricated construction methodologies that will be utilized to bring plug-and-play technology infrastructure to the exploding senior housing demographic.”
Colistra’s team is assembling an advisory group of construction industry and health professionals to test various components and configurations. Some of the more advanced technologies will include: Motion Sensors/Fall Detection, Gait-Analysis (determination of early onset Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), Automated LED Smart-Spectrum Lighting (optimizing circadian rhythms), Smart Mirrors, Smart Toilets (hydration monitoring/diuretic dosage), Sleep Sensors (ballistic cardiogram), and Automated Medicine Dispensers (coupled with Smart Toilet for heart medication).
The AIA Upjohn Research Initiative supports applied research projects that enhance the value of design and professional practice knowledge. The AIA program funds up to six research grants of $15,000 - $30,000 annually.
The results of a national senior housing student design competition were announced on December 15, 2016. Students from KU's New Cities Housing Lab placed 1st and 2nd in the Senior Housing News Design Competition. 1st Prize was won by the team of Willie Johnson, Kailey Smith, Louis Weishaar, and Hannah Wobbe. The Runner Up team was made up of Culin Thompson and Matt Kenney.
See the winning submission here:
https://indd.adobe.com/view/9fc35500-faac-41ed-9149-bc79851495a8
Students from KU's New Cities Housing Lab researching aging-in-place strategies, Smart Cities, and gigabit networks advanced to the final round of the 2016 HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing Competition for the second consecutive year. HUD flew the Final Four teams to their headquarters in Washington, D.C. to present their research. Joining KU as finalists were UT Austin, University of Maryland, and Harvard University. Read the full press release here:
https://indd.adobe.com/view/f0d6a4fa-1689-4684-b143-350d4d2644ae
- Donors at all levels will have their name added to the New Cites website.
- Firm and/or name engraved on a plaque attached to the housing unit that travels to conferences and sits in KU’s East Hills Construction Innovation Lab - Donors at all levels will have their name added to the New Cites website.
- Listed in project publication - Firm and/or name engraved on a plaque attached to the housing unit that travels to conferences and sits in KU’s East Hills Construction Innovation Lab - Donors at all levels will have their name added to the New Cites website.
- Invited to the unveiling reception and walkthrough of the completed unit and presentation of associated research - Listed in project publication - Firm and/or name engraved on a plaque attached to the housing unit that travels to conferences and sits in KU’s East Hills Construction Innovation Lab - Donors at all levels will have their name added to the New Cites website.