Course/2007/Fall/ST Smart Design
From Drexel Smart House
Instructor: Dr. Eugenia Ellis
Course Description: Interdisciplinary studio/laboratory course that teams designers and engineers in scientific research with the goal of designing innovative, sustainable systems for healthy living environments that utilize passive/alternative energy sources, renewable/recyclable materials and cutting-edge technologies. The objective is to combine technology with design to invent aesthetic and useful products for sustainable habitats.
Contents |
Class List
Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
College of Engineering
- Nick Calcagni
- David Delisi
- Jameson Detweiler
- Eric Eisele
- Jesse Gallagher
- Alex Lannan
- Alexander McLean
- Cody Ray
- Peter Thai
Projects
Composite Solar Lighting
Template:Main The purpose of this research is to design and build a fiber-optic daylighting solution for the residential built-environment. Additionally, the fiber-optic system will be supplemented with LEDs to provide consistent light output from the system. The system will detect changes in light throughout the day and adjust the LED brightness accordingly.
Project Leader: Eric Eisele
Civil Engineer: David Delisi
Design Expertise: Akshita Sivakumar
Modular Living Environment
Template:Main The Smart House technologies must maintain a certain level of upgradeability, since improvements will constantly be made to designs. Therefore, it is important that nothing is too “hardwired” into the home, and that the spaces under floors and inside walls are reasonably accessible. This project will design a completely modular living environment consisting of a reconfigurable wall system, modular wall panels, a raised and modular floor system, modular power outlets, and more. This complete system will provide for an environment that can be modified in minutes rather than days or hours.
Project Leader: Jameson Detweiler
Technical Expertise: Jesse Gallagher
Design Expertise: Alissa Menges
Multitouch Interaction
Template:Main This project will be addressing the way in which people interact with technology by improving existing and creating new methods of interacting with computers and other technologies. The commercialization of technologies such as the iPhone and Microsoft Surface demonstrate the possibilities of multitouch interaction. For instance, consider walking up to a wall-sized touchscreen and controlling everything with your fingers; multiple users can even share large workspaces. However, as hardware support is becoming readily available, human computer interfaces have lagged behind. Most multitouch software today still uses the windows, icons, menus, and pointers interface introduced in the early 1970s. Specifically, this project is looking at using frustrated total internal reflection techniques to detect interaction on a rear projected polycarbonate surface. Additionally, we hope to develop new human computer interaction methods based upon psychological studies of human intuition. The primary objective is developing technology that the uninitiated of all ages can use intuitively, that behaves and responds as one would expect in real life situations.
Project Leader: Cody Ray
Technical Expertise: Peter Thai
Design Expertise: Jenna Banyas
Home Water Cycle
Project Leader: Nick Calcagni
The proposed system collects rainwater which is filtered and used throughout the house. It utilizes graywater from fixtures and appliances to flush toilets, and sanitary water to supply the ecological wetland system located on the roof. The wetland and filtration system are integrated with the living space of the house.
Every aspect of the system is designed to minimize the amount of water wasted, and optimize the quality of the water for its intended use. The rooftop wetlands serves two purposes-- technical water filtration, and a space of the home that the occupants can live in and enjoy.
