Virginia Tech® home

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

March 15, 2024

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

Date:

  • March 15, 2024

Time:  

  • 8:30am EDT
     Networking & Donuts at Community Assembly, Creativity and Innovation District LLC
  • 9am EDT
     Presentation begins in the Community Assembly and live on YouTube

Virginia Tech faculty can receive Professional Development Network (PDN) credit for attending

  1. Register at https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/?query=playdate 
  2. Check in with Phyllis Newbill during the event.

Location: Community Assembly, Creativity and Innovation District LLC