On February 7th, third-year Industrial Design students showcased their projects at SFCS Architect’s annual By Design Conference at Hotel Roanoke. The event featured posters and videos from all 10 student groups, with four groups selected to present their projects on stage:

  • Rock n Stop, a rocking chair designed to be easy for seniors to get out of 
  • Tempo, an automatic shutoff device for stovetops to prevent kitchen fires
  • Hole in One, a cornhole set with handrails 
  • Songbird, a device that connects generations through music
Tempo group presents on stage
Tempo group presents on stage

The “Aging In Place” project began in October with a kickoff presentation from SFCS and VTID. Paired with mentors from SFCS Architects, the groups embarked on a comprehensive exploration, including a campus tour at Warm Hearth Village and interviews with residents. The focus areas—Rest, Nourishment, Pass Times, Mobility, and Connectivity—served as a guide for identifying specific aging-related challenges faced by seniors.

Students interview residents at Warm Hearth
Students interview residents at Warm Hearth

Following brainstorming, iterating, and collaboration with their mentors, the students returned to Warm Hearth with prototypes for residents to test and provide valuable feedback. In December, the culmination of their efforts was presented to mentors and residents through posters, videos, and prototypes.

Students presented their prototypes to residents
Students presented their prototypes to residents

J.D. Landis, a mentor from SFCS, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I was so thrilled to participate in the SFCS / Virgina Tech studio this year. I was amazed by the uninhibited creativity provided by all teams who participated in this year’s studio. The future looks very bright for all of us!”

Carly M. Bromwell, another SFCS mentor, shared her experience, saying, “I had a lot of fun working with the students and seeing the ideas they brought to the table. The projects truly left a lasting impact; they ranged from witty, and practical, to sentimental. On top of that, the level of conversation the students brought to the conference was impressive and engaging.” 

Hole In One group at By Design conference
Hole In One group at By Design conference

Celebrating its 15th consecutive year, the collaboration between SFCS, VTID, and Warm Hearth has yielded remarkable results. VTID extends our gratitude to the residents at Warm Hearth and the dedicated mentors from SFCS. The By Design Conference stands as a testament to the hard work and creativity of the students.