Accessible Home Designer

A brief description of the project and its objectives.

Client

Occupational Therapy, Tung Wah College

Year

2023-present

Expertise

VR, Accessible ergonomics, Medical

End User

Occupational Therapist Students

The Challenge:
In Hong Kong, the intersection of extreme spatial constraints and an aging population creates a unique challenge for Occupational Therapists. Modifying a public housing unit for a person with a disability requires more than just clinical knowledge—it requires the ability to visualize complex architectural changes within a confined, high-density environment.

The Solution:
Angry Shiba Studio developed the Accessible Home Designer (AHD) — a high-fidelity VR simulation platform that serves as a "living laboratory" for OT students.
We meticulously recreated the exact floor plans and architectural standards of Hong Kong Public Housing. AHD allows students to enter a virtual replica of a real Hong Kong home, experience the daily struggles of a patient with a disability, and perform real-time modifications—from bathroom widening to kitchen height adjustments—all while adhering to strict local housing regulations.

The Human Side of the Tech:
AHD is not just a building tool; it is an empathy engine.

  • Context-Aware Learning: 
    Students don't just "drag and drop" furniture; they solve spatial puzzles based on real-world Hong Kong case studies.
  • Clinical Validation: Every modification is checked against the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA) standards, ensuring that what is built in the virtual world is viable in the physical one.
  • Impactful Outcomes: By mastering these modifications in VR, future OTs can improve the safety and independence of thousands of residents in the physical world.

The Impact:
Currently deployed at Tung Wah College, AHD has revolutionized how OT students bridge the gap between textbook standards and the complex urban realities of Hong Kong. We are vitalizing the system of home care, one virtual modification at a time.

Accessible Home Designer

 
Occupational therapists (OTs) frequently need to conduct in-person assessments of their clients' homes to evaluate accessibility, but this approach can present various challenges. In particular, if the client's home is situated in a remote location, travel time can be extensive, leading to inefficiencies and delays.
Furthermore, it can be challenging for OTs to identify potential issues with a client's home without physically being present, making it harder to provide accurate and tailored advice. To optimise the assessment process and improve outcomes for clients, a more streamlined and effective solution is needed.
Accessible Home Designer (AHD) aims to provide an effective, efficient, and interactive solution for the OTs by revolutionising the way OTs design accessible home modifications for their clients. The application streamlines the design process, enabling OTs to create customised and innovative solutions that are tailored to each client's unique needs. AHD is also a valuable tool for OT students to gain hands-on experience in designing home modification for their clients. The interactive nature of the AHD allows students to create customised designs through enhanced visualisation of client’s virtual home environment. By using AHD, students can better understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities and develop practical solutions to improve their quality of life.
Back to blog
Accessible Home Designer on GIES 2023

Accessible Home Designer on GIES 2023

https://2023.gies.hk/en/expo/exhibition-products/detail/1605.html