Innovative design in the built environment can improve the health, functioning and well-being of individuals in diverse settings. In this project, students enrolled in one of four courses in design and environmental analysis apply concepts they learn in the classroom to a range of community projects in both Ithaca and Honduras.
Students in one course work with a local nonprofit organization to design a warm and inspiring meeting environment for people recovering from addiction, behavioral problems and incarceration. In another course, students travel to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to continue collaborating with a nonprofit that is expanding a neonatal intensive care unit for frail newborns. In addition, a course will be developed to teach students how to conduct health impact assessments (HIAs) to promote the inclusion of health implications when new projects, programs or buildings are being considered in communities. In a fourth course, students conduct post-occupancy evaluations (POEs) to assess the impact of current design on occupants’ functioning, comfort and well-being.
- Nancy Wells, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis
College of Human Ecology
- So-Yeon Yoon, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis
College of Human Ecology
- Gary Evans, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis
College of Human Ecology
- Mardelle Shepley, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis
College of Human Ecology
- Community partner: Little Angels of Honduras
- Community partner: Ithaca Community Recovery, Inc.
- Community partner: Tompkins Community Action
- Community partner: Town of Ithaca Planning Department
- Nancy Wells, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis
College of Human Ecology
- So-Yeon Yoon, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis
College of Human Ecology
- Gary Evans, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis
College of Human Ecology
- Mardelle Shepley, Department of Design and Environmental Analysis
College of Human Ecology
- Community partner: Little Angels of Honduras
- Community partner: Ithaca Community Recovery, Inc.
- Community partner: Tompkins Community Action
- Community partner: Town of Ithaca Planning Department
Funding teams that are integrating community-engaged learning into new and existing curricula