ICAT Playdate: Exploring Restorative Potential of Interior Design in Extended Reality

Term: Spring 2024

Date:  March 15th, 2024

Time: 8:30am - 9:30am

Location: Community Assembly in the Creativity + Innovation District Living-Learning Community

Instructor: Phyllis Newbill

Presented By: Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT)

Description:

Interior design discipline is concerned with creating environments that foster human health, safety and wellbeing. The importance of this mission became significantly more apparent during and after the pandemic as we spent more time indoors and as the World Health Organization reported a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression where sheltering in place and isolation were associated with measures of elevated anxiety symptoms. Intersecting design with digital technology, and incorporating extended reality tools, this project investigates how interior spaces can respond to our physiological needs, support mental health treatment, and facilitate stress relief.

Speakers: 

Alp Tural, Assistant Professor, Interior Design, School of Design, AAD

Anita Kablinger, Clinical Trials Research Director, Carilion Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine

Paula Wolfteich, Director of Grief and Healing, Carilion Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine

Donald Gieck, Director of Psychology Services, Carilion Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine