College of Architecture, Arts, and Design faculty tackle real-world challenges through research and creativity

From Appalachia to Africa to online communities, faculty in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design are using college-funded research and creative scholarship grants to enhance quality of life and make everyday environments smarter, more supportive, and more sustainable.

The Faculty-Initiated Research Grant program supports innovative projects that blend research, creative practice, and community engagement. These grants foster faculty-led initiatives that advance scholarly work and amplify the research footprint of the college and university. They also may lead to additional funding.

Encompassing a wide range of topics — from responsive acoustic spaces and 3D-printed building materials to accessible gaming, natural dye workshops, and grassroots radio technologies — these spotlighted projects reveal a shared commitment to solving real-world challenges through human-centered research and creativity.

Many of the projects focus on applied research that aims to improve lives and empower communities, involve the creative use of emerging and traditional technologies, and have a strong emphasis on human well-being and environmental and social responsibility.

These Faculty-Initiated Research Grant efforts are often highly collaborative across departments, schools, and universities. Partners come from communities and other continents. Expertise arrives from an array of disciplines: architecture, engineering, performing arts, design, medicine, and social sciences.

Responsive Sound Space: Building Dynamic and Interactive Acoustic Environments through Shape-Changing Interfaces 

Sida Dai, assistant professor, School of Architecture

What is the primary goal of the research project?

To develop a dynamic acoustic system that can adjust in real time to suit different spatial uses like lectures, performances, or group discussions.

Why is this work important? Why does it matter?

Most architectural spaces are acoustically static. This work introduces flexibility, allowing one space to serve many functions more effectively and comfortably.

Can you provide one key anticipated or realized impact of the project? Specifically, how will this work make people’s lives better?

It helps create multiuse spaces that sound better and feel more responsive, enhancing communication, learning, and performance experiences without needing major renovations.

Who are your collaborators or partners?

• Alaa Algargoosh, assistant professor, School of Architecture
• Charles Nichols, associate professor, School of Performing Arts
• Meaghan Dee, associate professor, School of Visual Arts

3D-Printed Clay Facade Blocks: A Sustainable Replacement for Traditional Bricks

Ramtin Haghnazar, assistant professor, School of Architecture

What is the primary goal of the research project?

This research focuses on creating facade blocks made from 3D-printed clay, utilizing a freeform, hollow design. These blocks are intended to serve as direct replacements for traditional bricks but with added benefits such as lighter weight, improved aesthetic flexibility, and reduced thermal conductivity. Additionally, the hollow structure reduces the energy needed during the kiln-curing process.

Why is this work important? Why does it matter?

The dense nature of bricks requires substantial energy to cure in kilns, and once installed, they offer limited thermal performance. In many regions, bricks are the only local option for making the facade. As the building industry seeks greener alternatives, innovative materials and fabrication methods are essential for reducing environmental impact. This project aims to address these challenges by developing 3D-printed clay facade blocks that offer enhanced sustainability and energy efficiency compared to traditional bricks.

Can you provide one key anticipated or realized impact of the project? Specifically, how will this work make people’s lives better?

The system will lower building energy consumption, enhance indoor comfort, and contribute to greener, more sustainable architecture.

Who are your collaborators or partners? 

• Yacine Berrada, graduate student, School of Architecture and Myers-Lawson School of Construction
• Yasaman Ashjazadeh, graduate student, School of Architecture
• Seyedali Derazgisou, graduate student, School of Architecture
• Vahid Nasir, assistant professor, Department of Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University
• Alireza Shojaei, assistant professor, Myers-Lawson School of Construction

Open the Gates Gaming: Audio Technology for Project Expansion

Elizabeth McLain, assistant professor of musicology, School of Performing Arts, and director of disability studies, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

What is the primary goal of the research project?

Open the Gates Gaming empowers everyone to be a storyteller, find community, and play. To achieve that goal, we will develop cognitive access tools to make Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the most popular tabletop roleplaying game, easier to play without changing the rules. We also think about the adventures we play, helping people explore opera — arguably the most elite art form — through D&D adaptations.

Why is this work important? Why does it matter? 

Play is a human right, but not everyone gets the opportunity to explore their own creativity or to see themselves as the hero of a story. Our disabled- and neurodivergent-led team includes women, nonbinary, queer, and trans people from a wide range of cultures, ethnicities, and races. At a time when people feel afraid and alone, we bridge divides to build communities where everyone is welcome as they are. 

Can you provide one key anticipated or realized impact of the project? Specifically, how will this work make people’s lives better?

The best thing about Open the Gates Gaming is that we get to see our work out in the world, bringing joy and connection to people as we facilitate their own creativity. We’ll be playing a critical role in launching the Access Forward Gaming Lounge at PAX East in May, which will feature our cognitive access tools, storytellers, and accessibility support for a wide range of bodies and minds.

Who are your collaborators or partners?

• Christopher Campo-Bowen, assistant professor, School of Performing Arts
• Alice Rogers, manager, Studios Media and Lending Services, University Libraries
• Ashley Shew, associate professor, Department of Science, Technology, and Society
• Gustavo Araoz, facility and production coordinator, Creativity and Innovation District
• Atlas Vernier, graduate student, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
• William Krise, graduate student, School of Education
• Melissa Hernandez, undergraduate student, School of Visual Arts
• Dakota Vaughan, undergraduate student, Department of Computer Science
• Apurvaa Bala, undergraduate student, School of Visual Arts
• Caitlin Martinkus, music theory faculty, Cleveland Institute of Music
• Scott Hanenberg, music theory faculty, Cleveland Institute of Music 
• Richard Fisher, founding director, Institute for Venture Philanthropy
• Doug Cockle, advisory board member of Open the Gates Gaming, star of “Natural Six,” and voice of Geralt of Rivia in “The Witcher” video games
• Jess Dempsey, executive director of DOTS RPG 

Appalachian Natural Dyes for Creativity, Community, and Sustainability

Hiromi Okumura, collegiate assistant professor, School of Visual Arts

What is the primary goal of the research project?

This project aims to explore how natural dyes created from local waste and plants can encourage creativity, strengthen community ties, and promote environmental care. This new initiative expands that effort by involving local seniors in hands-on dye-making workshops, connecting people to each other and their environment. It builds on the earlier Sustainable Art Painting project led by Assistant Professor Yoon Jung Choi, assisted by master’s student Avery Gendell, which successfully turned food waste into art materials for schools' art education.

Why is this work important? Why does it matter?

This work is important because it tackles two growing issues: environmental sustainability and social isolation among seniors. By turning local waste and plants into natural dyes, it helps reduce waste, protect the environment, and demonstrates practical ways communities can become more sustainable. At the same time, by involving seniors in creative workshops, the project provides meaningful social interactions, improving participants' well-being and sense of belonging.

Can you provide one key anticipated or realized impact of the project? Specifically, how will this work make people’s lives better?

Through the art making process with participants from the Engagement Center for Creative Aging, there were opportunities for fine motor engagement and reminiscence. In the ideation phase of the process, we discussed what it is like living in Southwest Virginia and Appalachian culture.

During the creation of the work of art, participants shared experiences from earlier in their lives related to fiber arts, including making and mending clothing for themselves and family members, creating other textiles in their lives that were used throughout the home (including potholders and other items), and reminiscing about caregiving of children and raising a family. One participant discussed how the art making process gave her an opportunity to be reminded about plaiting her horse’s mane when she was a young girl.

Who are your collaborators or partners?

• Individuals from the Engagement Center for Creative Aging: Ila Schepisi, director; Joanna Culligan, therapeutic program manager; and Jenna Booth, program assistant.
• Management and teams from Dining Services locations: Joe Martin, operations manager, and the West End team; Katey Carr, assistant director, and the Turner Place team; and the Southgate Center team.

Low-Cost, Low-Power DIY Radios for Rural Africa

Martha Sullivan, chair of industrial design and associate professor of practice, School of Design

What is the primary goal of the research project?

The primary goal is to launch the manufacture of low-cost, low-power radios in Malawi as both a business and educational opportunity. We are testing the viability of manufacturing this small electronic device in a low-resource setting. Specifically, is it possible to source the parts and maintain integrity during the assembly process? Through a long-term partnership with MicroMek, a small start-up tech company in Blantyre, Malawi, we are utilizing the process of designing the proper assembly of components to also educate Malawi youth on the basic theories of electronics and use of tools commonly needed in the electronics industry.   

Why is this work important? Why does it matter?

The low-cost, low-power radios are part of a larger strategy to increase communications in this area of limited resources via radio technology and the opening of a science radio station at the Malawi University of Science and Technology. Many people in Malawi live without electricity and lack communication tools such as cellphones as well as access to educational resources. The radio programming at the university has the potential to educate people in southern Malawi, but, without access to simple, maintainable radios, no one will hear the programming. In addition, radio technology is also improving our use of drones for the unmanned delivery of medicines in hard-to-reach locations. 

Can you provide one key anticipated or realized impact of the project? Specifically, how will this work make people’s lives better?

I am a faculty member of TEAM Malawi. This interdisciplinary group works towards improving Technology, Education, Advocacy, and Medicine in Malawi. The radio project is one component of a multipronged approach to increasing communication about health and wellness for communities in Malawi. We also have ongoing projects in visual communication, creative writing, and music to address the lack of dissemination of healthcare information. A topic of interest to the full team includes reducing communicable and noncommunicable diseases, while specifically addressing women's health issues such as mother and baby care, vaccinations, and breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Who are your collaborators or partners?

Members of TEAM Malawi, which is housed in the Virginia Tech’s Center for International Research, Education, and Development:

• Andy Muelenaer, director and professor of practice, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics,
• Penny Muelenaer, director and associate professor, Pediatrics, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
• Faculty from the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Public Health Program, and Virginia Tech Carillion School of Medicine

Other work

Additional Faculty-Initiated Research Grant projects funded by the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design include the following:

• Production support for two-person exhibition at the Sanitary Tortilla Factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Michael Borowski, associate professor, School of Visual Arts
• From AI-Aided Design to Computer-Aided Manufacturing: Bridging Digital Concepts to Sustainable Fabrication in Interior Design Education, Eiman Elgewely, assistant professor of interior design, School of Design
• Digital Preservation and Engagement for Cultural Heritage: A Reconstruction of a Monacan Indian Village Longhouse, Jessica Hernandez, visiting professor of practice, School of Architecture
• “The Fluted Bird” at the College Music Society International Conference in Colombia, Elizabeth Lantz, senior instructor of flute, and Charles Nichols, associate professor of composition and creative technologies, School of Performing Arts
• Representation in music theory pedagogy authorship at the College Music Society International Conference in Colombia, Kimberly Loeffert, assistant professor, School of Performing Arts
• Sustainable Autonomous Generative Art, Chelsea Thompto, assistant professor of creative technologies, School of Visual Arts
• Promoting Equity in Music Education through Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Integrating Underrepresented Non-Western Instruments to Foster Intermusicality,” Hyesoo Yoo, associate professor of music education, School of Performing Arts