Innovate

Working with a range of housing typologies allows for uncovering and implementing strategies to increase housing affordability, resilience, and quality. Themes may include alternative and emerging housing types and alternative homeownership models. Leverage individual projects/collaborations to educate communities on the value of research, planning, design, investment, and execution at all scales (neighborhoods to construction methods). Innovation may also incorporate new materials, construction methods, and other technologies that advance the livability, affordability, or performance of homes. 

  • Better Housing Consortium First Open Meeting

    Better Housing Consortium First Open Meeting

    Introduction  The Kansas Better Housing Consortium kicked off its first open meeting with a warm welcome and lunch at noon. Attendees had the opportunity to network and share their enthusiasm for the consortium’s mission before diving into the day’s agenda. In attendance were diverse stakeholders invited by APDesign faculty and…

  • Forget Me Not Memory Care Housing

    Forget Me Not Memory Care Housing

    Location: Hays, KS Year/Timeline: 2024 Area of Focus: Housing for Seniors with memory issues (Dementia, Alzheimer’s) Department/Courses Involved: IAID- APDesign, KSU – Capstone Studio (IARC 810) Led by Professor Vibhavari Jani Executive Summary: As Dementia rates rise among aging populations, the need for thoughtfully designed memory care housing is increasingaround…

  • Oak and Roots Housing Community

    Oak and Roots Housing Community

    Location: Raliegh, NC, USA Year/Timeline: 2024 Area of Focus: Affordable Housing for emerging professionals Department/Courses Involved: IAID – APDesign, KSU – Capstone Studio (IARC 810) Led by Prof. Vibhavari Jani Executive Summary: In a post-pandemic reality, social isolation has intensified, driven by remote work and lingering effects of distancing practices.…

  • Aging In Place: Senior Housing Design for Assisted Care

    Aging In Place: Senior Housing Design for Assisted Care

    Location: Omaha, Nebraska Year/Timeline: 2024 Area of Focus: Housing Design for Assisted Living Department/Courses Involved: IAID – APDesign -KSU, Capstone Studio, led by Professor Vibhavari Jani Executive Summary: Interior Architecture Graduate Students Grace Hedrickson, Matthew Virgil, and Sarah Wright reframed assisted living as “Continued Living,” shifting aging from a model…

  • Lean Tech, High Performance: Balancing Affordability and Technology in Net Zero Housing

    Lean Tech, High Performance: Balancing Affordability and Technology in Net Zero Housing

    Area of Focus: Affordable Housing Technology, Net Zero Housing Department/Courses Involved: Architecture Author: Michael Gibson, AIA, NCARB, LEED A.P. Executive Summary: U.S. homes, with a median age nearing 50 years, are part of a convoluted legacy of production methods prioritizing inexpensive materials and straightforward construction. Consequently, residential buildings end up…

  • Micro Apartments for Young Professionals

    Micro Apartments for Young Professionals

    Location: Kansas City, MO Year/Timeline: 2020-21 Area of Focus: Micro Housing Department/Courses Involved: Interior Architecture – Advance Interior Architecture Studio (IARC 823) Led by Professor Vibhavari Jani (Design) and Associate Professor Kutay Guler (Programming) Executive Summary: Aaron Burson, an Interior Architecture graduate student, in his thesis project, explored an important…

  • Wounded Veterans Supportive Housing

    Wounded Veterans Supportive Housing

    Stakeholder/Partners: SAVE Organization Location: Keats, KS Year/Timeline: 2015-17 Area of Focus: Supportive Housing to Prevent Veteran Suicide Department/Courses Involved: IAID – Capstone Studio led by Professor Vibhavari Jani Project Funding: K-State Center for Engagement and Community Development Executive Summary: SAVE, a Manhattan-based organization, partnered with the IAID Capstone Studio at…