Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
View larger image

A group of senior building sciences majors, all of whom are part of Appalachian’s Integrative Design Experience Laboratory (IDEXlab), present their concept for housing schemes specifically intended for adults with autism to nonprofit LIFE Village in fall 2018. Pictured, from left to right, are Hailey Weyant, of Wake Forest; Jordan Arroyo, of Yadkinville; Lindsay McNeil, of Wilkesboro; Christian Bocchino, of Mooresville; and Carson Chet, of Zirconia. Photo by Jason Miller

LIFE Village funds collaboration with Appalachian to design homes for adults with autism

Students involved with the project
  • Jordan Arroyo, a senior building sciences major from Yadkinville.
  • Anna Basile, a senior building sciences major from Pinehurst.
  • Christian Bocchino, a senior building sciences major from Mooresville.
  • Carson Chet, a junior building sciences major from Zirconia.
  • Annika Davidson, a senior building sciences major from Boone.
  • Tony Fleckenstein, a senior building sciences major from Whitsett.
  • Trent Hayworth, a senior building sciences major from High Point.
  • Peyton Leverette, a senior sustainable technology major from Raleigh.
  • Connor Livingston, a senior building sciences major from Raleigh.
  • Aaron Lockamy, a senior building sciences major from Louisburg.
  • Lindsay McNeil, a junior building sciences major from Wilkesboro.
  • Jesse Miner, a senior building sciences major from Wynantskill, New York.
  • Raj Ravenell, a senior building sciences major from La Grange.
  • Vadessa Risner, a senior building sciences major from Salisbury.
  • Rachel Small, a senior building sciences major from Mount Holly.
  • Mckenzi Wallace, a senior building sciences major from West Jefferson.
  • Thierry Washington, a senior building sciences major from Monroe.
  • Jackson Wemmitt, a senior building sciences major from White Oak.
  • Hailey Weyant, a senior building sciences major from Wake Forest.
  • Shannon Williamson, a senior building sciences major from Cary.
  • Nick Woody, a senior building sciences major from Blowing Rock.
Edited by Jessica Stump
Posted Jan. 29, 2019 at 4:57 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — After the successful completion of an off-the-shelf tiny home for nonprofit LIFE Village Inc. by students in Appalachian State University’s Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment (STBE) in summer 2018, the STBE department was awarded funding for a second project with the organization.

In fall 2018, students in the Building Science Architectural Design Studio III collaborated with LIFE Village to design housing schemes specifically intended for the users they will serve — adults with autism.

Jason Miller, associate professor and director of the building sciences program in the STBE department, received a $5,000 grant from LIFE Village to fund the project. He collaborated with STBE colleagues Chelsea Helms, practitioner-in-residence, and Drs. Jamie Russell and Andrew Windham, associate and assistant professor, respectively, in the STBE department.

Miller said, referring to Architecture for Autism, “the built environment is often unbearable and confusing” for those with autism and related disorders.

“Adapting the context of the physical environment to support changes in the social environment for those on the autism spectrum presents a significant design problem,” he continued.

Miller’s studio class examined an array of relevant research topics and engaged in a variety of empathy exercises, he said.

Referencing Andrew Brand, research assistant at the Royal College of Art’s Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design in the UK, Miller said students also explored a range of architectural strategies to counter the “risk of placing people in buildings that do not meet their needs or aspirations.”

Additionally, Miller said, through the design process, the students worked with the LIFE Village board and Appalachian faculty to provide spaces that strive to determine the needs of users with autism and facilitate those needs through creative design solutions to support LIFE Village’s mission — “create a community which fosters a place for adults with autism to live, learn, and grow.”

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Students Work To Design Homes For Adults With Autism
Students Work To Design Homes For Adults With Autism
88.5 WFDD
Feb. 8, 2019

Professor Jason Miller speaks with WFDD’s Eddie Garcia about designing housing for adults with autism and about a collaboration between Appalachian State University’s Department of Sustainable Technology and LIFE Village, a nonprofit that provides services for exceptional individuals.

Listen
Students involved with the project
  • Jordan Arroyo, a senior building sciences major from Yadkinville.
  • Anna Basile, a senior building sciences major from Pinehurst.
  • Christian Bocchino, a senior building sciences major from Mooresville.
  • Carson Chet, a junior building sciences major from Zirconia.
  • Annika Davidson, a senior building sciences major from Boone.
  • Tony Fleckenstein, a senior building sciences major from Whitsett.
  • Trent Hayworth, a senior building sciences major from High Point.
  • Peyton Leverette, a senior sustainable technology major from Raleigh.
  • Connor Livingston, a senior building sciences major from Raleigh.
  • Aaron Lockamy, a senior building sciences major from Louisburg.
  • Lindsay McNeil, a junior building sciences major from Wilkesboro.
  • Jesse Miner, a senior building sciences major from Wynantskill, New York.
  • Raj Ravenell, a senior building sciences major from La Grange.
  • Vadessa Risner, a senior building sciences major from Salisbury.
  • Rachel Small, a senior building sciences major from Mount Holly.
  • Mckenzi Wallace, a senior building sciences major from West Jefferson.
  • Thierry Washington, a senior building sciences major from Monroe.
  • Jackson Wemmitt, a senior building sciences major from White Oak.
  • Hailey Weyant, a senior building sciences major from Wake Forest.
  • Shannon Williamson, a senior building sciences major from Cary.
  • Nick Woody, a senior building sciences major from Blowing Rock.
Appalachian students build tiny house for local nonprofit KAMPN
Appalachian students build tiny house for local nonprofit KAMPN
July 9, 2018

Students in Appalachian’s Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment have been working to construct a tiny house for LIFE Village — a new initiative of Kids with Autism Making Progress in Nature (KAMPN).

Read the story

About the Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment

One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment at Appalachian State University features an integrated array of programs spanning the fields of sustainable design and technology. Its mission is to foster a strong and vibrant culture of inquiry, discovery and innovation that integrates theory with application, problem seeking with problem-solving, local issues with global perspectives and technological progress with environmental stewardship. It offers bachelor’s degrees in sustainable technology and building science, and a master’s degree in technology. Learn more at https://stbe.appstate.edu.

About the College of Fine and Applied Arts

Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

Students involved with the project
  • Jordan Arroyo, a senior building sciences major from Yadkinville.
  • Anna Basile, a senior building sciences major from Pinehurst.
  • Christian Bocchino, a senior building sciences major from Mooresville.
  • Carson Chet, a junior building sciences major from Zirconia.
  • Annika Davidson, a senior building sciences major from Boone.
  • Tony Fleckenstein, a senior building sciences major from Whitsett.
  • Trent Hayworth, a senior building sciences major from High Point.
  • Peyton Leverette, a senior sustainable technology major from Raleigh.
  • Connor Livingston, a senior building sciences major from Raleigh.
  • Aaron Lockamy, a senior building sciences major from Louisburg.
  • Lindsay McNeil, a junior building sciences major from Wilkesboro.
  • Jesse Miner, a senior building sciences major from Wynantskill, New York.
  • Raj Ravenell, a senior building sciences major from La Grange.
  • Vadessa Risner, a senior building sciences major from Salisbury.
  • Rachel Small, a senior building sciences major from Mount Holly.
  • Mckenzi Wallace, a senior building sciences major from West Jefferson.
  • Thierry Washington, a senior building sciences major from Monroe.
  • Jackson Wemmitt, a senior building sciences major from White Oak.
  • Hailey Weyant, a senior building sciences major from Wake Forest.
  • Shannon Williamson, a senior building sciences major from Cary.
  • Nick Woody, a senior building sciences major from Blowing Rock.

Share

Topics

  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Health and Wellness
  • Students
  • Sustainability

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Health and Wellness
  • Students
  • Sustainability

Other Recent Posts

  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
  • App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
    App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
  • Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
    Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
  • $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
    $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
  • App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
    App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
  • Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
    Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
  • 12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide
    12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat