scholarly journals Augmenting Access & Mobility: Designing for the Prosthetic Human

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Darni Struijck

<p>With the needs of the disabled person at the forefront of research and design, this thesis questions how the ‘Prosthetic Human’ can be an architectural catalyst to augment access and mobility. Access and Mobility is identified as an underdeveloped field of architectural enquiry. To improve how disabled individuals experience space, this thesis investigates and tests access and mobility through the lens of design. This thesis extends to the notion of access and networks as defined by Jeremy Rifkin through an architectural exploration into innovation centres. Workplace design strategies directs the design process to formulate stimulating environments that facilitate creative and reflective thought. The theoretical frameworks of Marquard Smith and Joanne Mora, Elizabeth Wright and Mark Wigley, concerning post-human conditions are critically discussed and theoretical notions are transposed into design investigations that explore the building as a prosthetic entity. Specifically, this thesis introduces the disabled body – The Prosthetic Human – as a new figurative referent and proportional system in the design of architecture. Corbusian principles and methods are examined and appropriated for the Prosthetic Human. The proportions of the Prosthetic Human informs the architecture at macro, messo, and micro scales. This research finds that by designing for the Prosthetic Human, the architecture is, holistically representative of a body that requires enhanced access and mobility within space. The research is purposeful; the process celebrates difference and in turn, a calm and embracing architecture is presented in hope for those impaired to be free from spatial discrimination in our environment.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Darni Struijck

<p>With the needs of the disabled person at the forefront of research and design, this thesis questions how the ‘Prosthetic Human’ can be an architectural catalyst to augment access and mobility. Access and Mobility is identified as an underdeveloped field of architectural enquiry. To improve how disabled individuals experience space, this thesis investigates and tests access and mobility through the lens of design. This thesis extends to the notion of access and networks as defined by Jeremy Rifkin through an architectural exploration into innovation centres. Workplace design strategies directs the design process to formulate stimulating environments that facilitate creative and reflective thought. The theoretical frameworks of Marquard Smith and Joanne Mora, Elizabeth Wright and Mark Wigley, concerning post-human conditions are critically discussed and theoretical notions are transposed into design investigations that explore the building as a prosthetic entity. Specifically, this thesis introduces the disabled body – The Prosthetic Human – as a new figurative referent and proportional system in the design of architecture. Corbusian principles and methods are examined and appropriated for the Prosthetic Human. The proportions of the Prosthetic Human informs the architecture at macro, messo, and micro scales. This research finds that by designing for the Prosthetic Human, the architecture is, holistically representative of a body that requires enhanced access and mobility within space. The research is purposeful; the process celebrates difference and in turn, a calm and embracing architecture is presented in hope for those impaired to be free from spatial discrimination in our environment.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7269
Author(s):  
Alessia Romani ◽  
Valentina Rognoli ◽  
Marinella Levi

The transition toward circular economy models has been progressively promoted in the last few years. Different disciplines and strategies may significantly support this change. Although the specific contribution derived from design, material science, and additive manufacturing is well-established, their interdisciplinary relationship in circular economy contexts is relatively unexplored. This paper aims to review the main case studies related to new circular economy models for waste valorization through extrusion-based additive manufacturing, circular materials, and new design strategies. The general patterns were investigated through a comprehensive analysis of 74 case studies from academic research and design practice in the last six-year period (2015–2021), focusing on the application fields, the 3D printing technologies, and the materials. Further considerations and future trends were then included by looking at the relevant funded projects and case studies of 2021. A broader number of applications, circular materials, and technologies were explored by the academic context, concerning the practice-based scenario linked to more consolidated fields. Thanks to the development of new strategies and experiential tools, academic research and practice can be linked to foster new opportunities to implement circular economy models.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa C Milton ◽  
Elizabeth Stewart ◽  
Laura Ospina-Pinillos ◽  
Tracey Davenport ◽  
Ian B Hickie

BACKGROUND Out of school hours care (OSHC) services provide a unique opportunity to deliver early intervention programs to enhance primary school–aged children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being; however, such programs are currently lacking. OBJECTIVE This study aims to address the lack of well-being programs for children accessing OSHC services in the research literature by using participatory design (PD) to collaboratively develop and test an OSHC well-being program—the connect, promote, and protect program (CP3). METHODS The study employed methods of PD, user (acceptance) testing, and iterative knowledge translation to develop a novel well-being program framework—CP3—with key stakeholders (eg, children, OSHC staff, volunteers, families, clinicians, educators, and researchers). Thematic techniques were used to interpret and translate the qualitative information obtained during the research and design cycles. RESULTS The co-design process generated the CP3 model, which comprises a group-based mentoring approach to facilitate enhanced activities in OSHC settings. Activities are underpinned by 4 key principles of program delivery: build well-being and resilience, broaden horizons, inspire and engage, and connect communities. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, the CP3 program is the first co-designed well-being program developed specifically for OSHC services. This co-design process is key to ensuring local community needs—particularly those of young people accessing OSHC—are met and that these individuals are meaningfully and actively involved in all stages of the research and design process, from conception to implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement. CLINICALTRIAL


Author(s):  
Taesik Jeong ◽  
Thomas P. Kicher ◽  
Ronald J. Zab

Abstract An object-oriented programming (OOP) technique is investigated in order to develop the framework for mechanical design automation systems. A task-oriented decomposition approach is applied to conceptualize the task-object (or task-performing-object) in which common behavior and communication protocols are encapsulated [1]. Each task in the entire design process, either controlling design strategies or performing design methods, is made into an object. The design method objects are implemented using Artificial Intelligence (AI) paradigms, such as artificial neural networks and expert systems. This report explains how OOP is integrated to develop a mechanical design framework (MDF). A single reduction gear box design process was used to identify some of the general tasks involved in mechanical design process. From this process the guidelines for developing task-objects for future systems are formed. Full details of these guidelines and an implementation example in Smalltalk on a PC are available in [7].


2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Geoff Rideout ◽  
Jeffrey L. Stein ◽  
John B. Ferris

Abstract Vehicle dynamics are well understood by both academic researchers and automotive industries. And while modeling and simulation tools are still underutilized, they are becoming more frequently used in the vehicle design process. However, there is still lacking an overall design methodology that can link and integrate in a systematic fashion the design tasks of individual components or systems such that the vehicle performs as intended with a minimal number of design iterations. A process called Target Cascading, applied in the early stages of vehicle design, might serve as this systematic design methodology. In this paper, Target Cascading is evaluated for its ability to propagate top-level design specifications down to specifications for various subsystems and components in a vehicle design problem. More specifically, general ride and handling targets are set for a vehicle and these are cascaded down through the suspension, tire pressure and spring design levels by partitioning the original problem into a hierarchical set of subproblems. At a given level, an optimization problem is formulated to minimize deviations from the proposed targets and thus achieve intersystem compatibility. A coordination strategy links all subproblem decisions so that the overall supersystem performance targets are met. Results are presented that demonstrate Target Cascading’s utility in unearthing tradeoffs and incompatibilities among initial targets early in the vehicle development cycle. Throughout the paper, the Target Cascading process is compared to traditional vehicle design strategies for achieving ride and handling targets. Target Cascading appears to be a promising systematic technique for the design of vehicles to meet ride and handling specifications.


Author(s):  
Darius Mehri

The author worked in the research and design department at a large Toyota company in the late 1990s and experienced an innovative process where engineers worked in tightly knit groups where monitoring, the informal hierarchy and dependence resulted from an emphasis on collective work. In the approach to innovation during the design process, the Toyota engineers were found to engage in an inductive process that placed an emphasis on the concrete and an orientation toward the field as a result of an approach that relied on experience based knowledge. The use of tacit and explicit knowledge is discussed within the context of the design process and the author finds that explicit knowledge dominates the improvement of productivity and organizational learning. The latest research in the sociology of culture and cultural psychology is used to highlight the cognitive approach to problem solving during the innovative process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Duarte ◽  
Jean-Pierre Nadeau ◽  
Antonio Ramos ◽  
Michel Mesnard

The orthosis is considered a class 1 medical device which often originates from a nonstructured development process. As these devices are mainly developed by small- and medium-sized enterprises, with no standard research method, the result can be an unadapted device which may not respond to the user’s needs and which in the short term may be abandoned. One way to solve this problem is to define and apply standard rules and procedures throughout the development/design process. Although methodologies may solve the “empiricism” in orthosis design problems, these design strategies are not applied during orthosis development due to the particularities of this field and the difficulties in linking the required knowledge and the actors that may be present during the orthosis development. The objective of this work is to develop a methodology to structure the orthosis design process that takes into account both the device life cycle and the different stakeholders involved in the design process. A case study was used to validate the proposed methodology. It was applied to the development of an orthosis to treat a specific postural disorder called camptocormia, also known as bent spine syndrome. This disorder is characterized by the anteroflexion of the trunk and especially affects elderly people. Contrary to scoliosis, the characteristics of camptocormia are not permanent, which means that the patient is able to straighten his posture. A postural brace is used to treat this disorder which enables the patient to redress and maintain the correct upright posture of the trunk.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seoha Min ◽  
Helen Koo

Purpose This study aims to provide insights to designers for seeking innovative ways to design sustainable clothes and appeal to consumers by enhancing sustainability. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the research purpose, the researchers went through a design process and designed three prototypes. The experts’ evaluation on the prototypes was positive. Findings Various design strategies derived from the Korean traditional costume were explored. Based on the strategies, three prototypes were developed, and the design experts’ evaluation on the prototypes was positive. Originality/value The research has implications as follows. The sustainable design process and methods used in this research for developing designs inspired from cultural costumes will provide insights to designers who want to create sustainable garments inspired by a certain culture. In addition, the design and sustainable design strategies, derived from the Chosun Dynasty, will guide apparel designers to create sustainable designs and broaden their perspectives. Furthermore, the research will provide guidance to following researchers who are interested in the topic of sustainability in apparel design. The researchers explored sustainable design strategies from the Korean culture, applied them in their design process and evaluated the design outcomes. By doing so, merits and limitations of the design strategies were more clearly understood.


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