Engineering and OT Students coming together to Make Dreams Come True
Durham - UNH Civil Engineering and Occupational Therapy (OT) students have taken their course work one step closer to their chosen professions by actually performing on the job for the grade. On Tuesday, December 11, students presented their proposed atrium design to a group of Exeter HealthCare administrators and patients, located in Exeter, New Hampshire.
Let's back-up . . . this is a story that really should be told from the beginning. Annie Harris, occupational therapist at Exeter Healthcare, is one of those people who not only listens, she comes up with ideas for meaningful solutions. UNH civil engineering associate professor, Charles Goodspeed III, is likewise innovative. Put the two together and you have students meeting with patients to help make dreams come true. The “dream” in this instance being a beautiful area for residents to retreat to—regardless of temperature or allergens— we are talking about an indoor/outdoor atrium. Students and associate professor Lou Ann Griswold of UNH’s occupational therapy (OT) program were also invited to help complete this picture.
Complete the picture they did. The building parameters from the OT perspective included optimal functionality, aesthetics, heat/humidity, lighting, space, and accessibility factors to design around. No small feat, especially when considering many of the residents are long-term and require ventilator care. Logistical issues along with some severe behavioral issues strengthened the argument to create a spacious calming therapeutic environment.
"As my graduate career in occupational therapy is coming to an end, it was inspiring to join forces with the engineering team to deliver the beginnings of such an important community-based project." Rachel Bradt, M.S. '08 of Rye, NH, also stated that, "The heart of this Atrium project is securely based in the core tents of occupational therapy - enabling and empowering individuals so they can participate in meaningful day-to-day activities."
Civil engineering student Craig Shillaber from Deerfield, NH noted that, "Due to the unique framing it was a challenge to deal with shear loadings from wind in this structure. I learned a lot about how loads transfer through wood structures safely, and how to work around distinctive situations."
The end design integrated OT and architecture by optimizing the large open space surrounding it with oversized large windows to amplify the natural lighting. Also provided is secure access to the gardens. For comfort there is a warm and tranquil gas fireplace lined on both sides with a cascading waterfall. Including space to display local art as well as a performing artist area is a nice bonus that residents and visitors can enjoy for many a year.
Special attention was spent to provide each resident with an appealing perspective as well as the suggestion to use heat built within the floor. Floor heat uses a piping system that transmits hot air upward resulting in uniform efficient heating. No matter where you stand in the room it will be 72 degrees!
Jillian Sanctuary, UNH civil engineering student from Milford, NH said that, "This was a great opportunity for our class to work with others, to give back to the community, and to produce something that started out as only an idea."
Another idea taken under consideration was Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Built as designed, this building would indeed qualify as one of only a handful within the state of New Hampshire to be certified.
After hearing the students' presentation of their proposed atrium design Annie Harris, whose idea started the project, commented "I'll never look at another building the same. The coherent breakdown of the foundation, the windows, the insulation, the environment protection, the walls, the heating system, and attention to landscaping as well as LEED Certification, are so articulate and beautiful that I could cry. The building is an activity in and of itself. The physical and emotional needs of the people who will be using this building have indeed been addressed - this gives the structure a soul!"
Most of the students who worked on this project plan to stay with it through the 2008 spring semester. Spring semester's objective will be to further detail the current design, provide Exeter HealthCare with a complete bid package and associated costs.
UNH Civil Engineering Students Involved:
J.R. Collins of Werre, NH, "This project is special because it requires not just structural stability, but also a safe comfortable atmosphere for Exeter HealthCare residents."
Brittany File-Huntsberger of Kennebunk, ME, "I am delighted to just be involved with the project. I know how unattractive a hospital setting can be and to bring a room like this to the hospital will be a place where the residents can call home."
Ryan Kline of Wolfeboro, NH, "Our proposed atrium at Exeter Hospital will give these patients who are in long term care a place to get away and forget about the illnesses and injuries that they have."
Heather Newton of Sharon, NH, "I think that it was really great to be able to work on this project, to be able to incorporate our learning with a useful project that will hopefully bring joy to many of the residents' daily lives."
Michael McGurl of Arlington, MA, "I believe the atrium project was the perfect opporutnity to utilize the education I have received over the last four years."
Jillian Sanctuary of Milford, NH (quoted above)
Craig Shillaber of Deerfield, NH (quoted above)
Adam Spraque of Epson, NH, "The Exeter atrium design project has been a great opportunity for me, which will have benefits and positive impact on the residents and the hospital.
Jack Welch of Boston, MA, "This project represents a unique opportunity to blend structural engineering with the human emotions of hope and vision in order to create a building that truly has a soul and a great purpose."
John Westover of Concord, NH, "I thought this was a great opportunity to learn about my chosen field of study while at the same time serving our community. It was an amazing experience."
Occupational Therapy Students Involved:
Lindsey Napurano of Blairstown, N.J.
Rachel Bradt of Rye (quoted in article)
Lindsey Parent of Walpole
Beth Geyer of Newmarket
HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS/CAPTIONS:
http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/atrium1high.jpg
Exterior of proposed atrium design from what UNH students presented to a group of Exeter HealthCare administrators and patients, located in Exeter, New Hampshire.
http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/atrium2high.jpg
Interior of proposed atrium design of what UNH students presented to a group of Exeter HealthCare administrators and patients, located in Exeter, New Hampshire.
http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/atrium3high.jpg
For comfort there is a warm and tranquil gas fireplace lined on both sides with a cascading waterfall. Included also is space to display local art.
http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/atrium4high.jpg
Many of the Exeter HealthCare residents are long-term and require ventilator care. Logistical issues along with some severe behavioral issues strengthened the argument to create a spacious calming therapeutic environment.
http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/atrium5high.jpg
Including space to display local art as well as a performing artist area is a nice bonus that Exeter HealthCare residents and visitors can enjoy for many a year.
http://www.ceps.unh.edu/images/atrium6high.jpg
Large open space amplify the natural lighting in the UNH proposed design of the Exeter HealthCare Atrium with the polishing touch being secure access to the aesthetically pleasing and therapeutic gardens.
