Designing for Equity, Engagement, and Impact
RESEARCH
PROJECTS
I explore how emerging technologies—AR, VR, situated data, and GIS—can improve accessibility, decision-making, and learning in real-world contexts. My projects span healthcare, education, food systems, and civic engagement.
Type: Empirical AR System Study, Healthcare + HCI
Keywords:
AR Navigation, Indoor Wayfinding, Cognitive Load, Anxiety, Unity + ARwayKit, Healthcare UX, HCI, Inclusive Design
This research investigates the effectiveness of an AR-based wayfinding system compared to traditional paper maps in a hospital setting. Through a controlled user study involving 34 participants, the system was shown to significantly reduce task completion time, lower cognitive load (NASA-TLX), and alleviate user anxiety (STAI-State). The AR interface was developed using Unity + ARwayKit and tested in a real healthcare facility, highlighting its potential for improving patient navigation experiences in complex indoor environments.
Type: Interactive Urban Installation, Civic Tech, Public Visualization
Keywords:
Situated Visualization, Civic Media, Urban Data, Public Participation, Arduino, HCI, Traffic Safety
This project explores how interactive installations in public space can transform civic data into intuitive experiences. We developed and deployed a situated visualization system in Detroit to present pedestrian accident data using embedded sensors, LED displays, and Arduino microcontrollers. Visitors explored accident statistics via a multi-modal, immersive totem installation. The findings reveal high engagement levels and demonstrate the potential of situated visualizations to democratize information, enhance public understanding, and drive collective urban awareness.
Instructor: Prof. Ming Zhang
Award: Most Equitable Project Award, CM2 Summer Forum 2023
Keywords:
Spatial Accessibility Analysis, Urban Planning + GIS
This study examines fresh food accessibility in Austin, Texas, focusing on low-income communities using GIS-based transportation modeling. By analyzing Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs) through TransCAD, the research evaluates disparities across four transportation modes—car, bike, walking, and public transit. The results highlight food deserts in underserved areas and demonstrate the need for better connectivity and multimodal planning to support equitable food access.
Instructor: Prof. Ming Zhang
Award: Most Equitable Project Award, CM2 Summer Forum 2023
Keywords:
Zero Net Energy, Affordable Housing, Middle-Density
SOLEIL Homes presents a middle-density Zero Net Energy (ZNE) housing model combining affordability, modular sustainability, and neighborhood compatibility. Developed for East Austin’s Blackland neighborhood, this design proposes 14 units—flats and row houses—clustered around a shared courtyard, using modular prefabrication to reduce costs. With per-unit pricing below local median prices and full ADA accessibility for certain units, SOLEIL demonstrates that ZNE design can be both equitable and context-sensitive. The project was submitted to the 2022 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Design Challenge.
Instructor: Prof. Simon Atkinson
Urban Design | Cultural Strategy | Community Participation
Keywords:
Living Arts District, Community Engagement, Urban Regeneration, Public Participation
Video: Click here
This project envisions the transformation of Deptford Creek, located between the London boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham, into the city’s only Living Arts District. Building upon the area’s existing vibrant arts scene and grassroots creative activity, the proposal offers a design framework and strategic plan to support the long-term cultural, economic, and social vitality of the neighborhood. The project emphasizes community participation and cross-borough collaboration to ensure that artists, local residents, and institutions are active stakeholders in shaping the district’s future. Key components include the development of inclusive public spaces, creative studios, and cultural infrastructure, alongside environmental strategies to preserve the character and ecology of the creek.
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