Figure 1.1. Nadya Ludwig in her customary position watching the front door at Addison Court and greeting all 95 residents by name [1] ++++ Summary The generation born after the Second World War is commonly referred to as “The Baby Boom Generation.” The U.S. Census Bureau provides statistics on Baby Boomers not as helpful as one […]
McKeesport
Thank you to the State College Community, Penn State’s Department of Architectural Engineering and to the Jewish people
On this Sunday night, I am sitting in my apartment four blocks away by scooter to Penn State’s iconic Old Main. You have seen it on television. Contemplating my forthcoming cancer surgery, I cannot help but express my gratitude. My gratitude extends the length and breadth of the Borough of State College under the inspiration […]
A classic is a book no one reads, Mark Twain said
I had pneumonia until three days ago when I was discharged from the hospital. These days, my health has been doing well: In May, I attended my younger daughter Amelia Altalena’s graduation from college. In June, I spent two weeks in McKeesport, PA seeing how low-cost high-tech housing for elderly and disabled individuals can be […]
Navigating
This site has two central locations:
I. THEME: No shelter from the storm
II. DIGRESSIONS (not related directly to the theme; my daughters Joanna and Amelia [ “You regard your family as a diversion?), stories, career, and whimsy.
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Navigating NO SHELTER FROM THE STORM
Where do I want to go?
To a neighborhood which must be developed: A global model of independent living for elderly and disabled individuals consisting of:
a) An experimental residence for an individual or a family. For example, Blueroof’s Experimental Cottage in McKeesport, PA–a one story residence on inexpensive land in a burned out section of a Rust Belt town where a community could be developed.
b) Low-cost factory housing (mobile home) residences where sensors and other off-the-shelf technology are embedded in the walls.
c) Technology includes: +Security system. +Motion detectors to monitor falls, especially high risk areas such as the shower.+Computer voice simulation combined with wireless communications so the walls of the building call family or emergency services for help.
d) Research facility at a major university, e.g. Penn State’s Immersive Construction (ICon) lab where a virtual reality (animated 3-D) model of the real experimental residence helps prospective residents, the architectural, engineering, and construction community, caregivers, et al. change design before additional construction takes place.
e) An inter-generational accessible community.
McKeesport is not as depressing as you might think: Special
I realize not as depressing as you might think shouts out that McKeesport really is a depressing place. It is. When I get around to it, I will describe the exceptions to depressing, such as this fire juggler whom I saw last night while I attended Corpus Christi, an annual Downtown McKeesport event two blocks from the […]
Celebration of the Use of Virtual Reality to Improve Housing for the Elderly and Disabled
University Park, PA. On Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 10a.m. Penn State’s Department of Architectural Engineering and its Smart Spaces Center for Adaptive Aging in Community celebrated progress made in a coordinated effort to reduce the cost of housing for Pennsylvania’s elderly and disabled residents today and in the future. The celebration took place at […]
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Congressman Mike Doyle represents McKeesport Home of Blueroof Technologies
Mike Doyle, a Democrat in his ninth term, represents the 14th District of Pennsylvania which includes Blueroof Technologies in McKeesport. Blueroof has developed a monitoring system for patients with autism, a subject of special concern to Rep. Doyle who is he founder and co-chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus, also known as the Coalition for Autism Research and […]