Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering
The Pennsylvania State University
104 Engineering Unit A University Park, PA 16802 United States of America [email protected]
Educational Background:
1994 Ph.D., Architectural Engineering, Construction Management Option,
The Pennsylvania State University
1991 B.A.E., Architectural Engineering, Construction Management Option,
The Pennsylvania State University
Construction Industry Experience:
10/96 -12/00: Project Manager/Project Engineer, The Clark Construction Group, Bethesda, MD
5/96 – 9/96: Project Manager for Development, Rebuild, L.L.C., Sterling, VA
9/94 – 5/96: Project Manager, Horseshoe Group Inc., Alexandria, VA
What does this mean and how does it apply to the problem of designing low-income housing for disabled and elderly Pennsylvanians, Americans, and citizens of the world.?
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Sonali Kumar in her office next to her model Blueroof Cottage
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Developing an experienced-based design review application for healthcare facilities using a 3d game engine
From The Journal of Information Technology in Construction (Icon). a peer-reviewed scholarly journal on the use of IT in architecture, civil engineering and facility management.
PUBLISHED: January 2011
EDITOR: Turk Z
Sonali Kumar, Graduate Research Assistant,
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA [email protected]
Matthew Hedrick, Graduate Student
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA [email protected]
Christopher Wiacek, Graduate Student
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA[email protected]
John I. Messner, PhD The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA [email protected]
SUMMARY:Virtual Prototypes are increasingly being used during design reviews of specialized buildings such as healthcare facilities. However, most of these virtual prototyping approaches do not allow the reviewers and end users to interact directly, in real-time with elements and objects within the virtual model. This paper focuses on a method to combine the use of 3D game engines with the emerging experience based design approach for healthcare facilities to develop a systematic approach to scenario-based design review of healthcare facilities in an interactive virtual environment. First, a virtual facility prototyping framework for rapid creation of a scenario based design review system is defined. Next, strategies to implement this framework to develop an Experience based Virtual Prototyping Simulator (EVPS) application are described. Design information workflows were developed and tested between various BIM authoring tools and the Unity game engine that is used for developing the interactive virtual prototype system. Finally, some lessons learned and issues are highlighted that help direct future research and implementation.
–From Special Report: Use of Gaming Technology in Architecture, Engineering and Construction.
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Sonali Kumar on television
Here Sonali discusses a virtual reality model she is creating for a new children’s’ hospital at Hershey Medical Center by the Fox affiliate WPMT Channel 43 serving York, Harrisburg, Lancaster and Lebanon, PA. The program aired Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at 10pm. http://www.fox43.com/health/building-blocks/
[Note: Addison Court is an independent living facility in Downtown State College for citizens aged 55 and older and individuals with disabilities. Many of its residents are aged 70, 80, and 90. Last year we had problems with faulty fire alarms which demonstrted residents did not know what to do when the alarm went off at 1:30 in the morning. The residents formed a fire safety committee with wardens to provide assistance on each of the building’s 8 floors. We were trained by Steve Bair, Council of Governments Director of the Office of Fire Administration. A major part of the training consisted of what to do when the excellent Alpha Company, four blocks away, comes to help us in the event of fire. Alpha’s Chief is Keith Yocum]
Hug a Firefighter Two Days After Valentine’s at Noon or 6:30; Get a Bowl of Chili
This invitation has 6 parts (some of which the author did not complete because he is too wordy):
Details of the Tuesday February 16th event at the Addison Court social hall. There will be two sittings; Noon and 6:30 PM. Feel free to go to one or the other and fill out the signup sheet. Be there or be square.
Why hug a firefighter (male or female) from the Alpha Fire Company’s Main Office on Beaver and Atherton. [No question mark required.]
What to do in the case of a fire.
Come spring you can bring your grandchildren to the fire house and see the pretty trucks. When 83 year-old Lillian Hutchison swings down the fire pole I want to take a photograph.
Participation as a fire warden—the Arnold Addison Court Fire Safety Committee, Carol Ames co-chair, needs you to volunteer as a part time FIRE WARDEN so we can have back up wardens in case your floor’s regular fire warden decides to spend two days gambling in Harrisburg. Please give Sherry your name and I will get back to you.
As my maternal grandmother once told me (and she was a wild one) when it comes to hugging, be moderate.
Details:
One hundred bowls of Webster’s Bookstore and Café’s famous vegetarian chili will be served at the noon and 6:30 sittings.
That chili will be served to our frontline firefighters, you, Steve Bair, Council of Governments Director of the Office of Fire Administration, Alpha Chief Keith Yocum, Alpha’s Jackie Richardson, and government officials.
Residents are asked to provide additional food and cash donations.
In the event of a fire:
Call 911 and report (even if you are not sure if someone else has reported). Addison Court is a safe building. It has an excellent sprinkler system. The biggest danger to residents is if we panic and do not rely on our fire wardens and most importantly the men and women of Alpha Fire Company to come and tell us what to do. Even on the 8th floor, Alpha firefighters will know how to get you and your power chair safely out of the building.
Relax. Stay in your apartment and wait for your floor’s fire warden. It takes fewer than 10 minutes for Alpha firefighters to get in their trucks and come here.
During that time:
Do NOT take the elevator. Do NOT go downstairs. Do NOT evacuate the building. Listen to your fire warden who may decide to have you move to the stair well to wait for Alpha. If you move, be sure to close your door. One reason it might be a good idea to move is because there might be smoke and staying on your floor but moving to a stair well where there is no smoke will make your breathing easier.
**Note well; Your February 16th hug will not save your life. It will make you feel better to know you expressed appreciation before you needed help.
–Joel Solkoff, co-chair, Arnold Addison Court Fire Safety Committee.
