The Fallingwater Institute invites technology professionals who design immersive, virtual environments for a studio-based residency program exploring design theory and practice related to immersive design in one of America’s most significant works of architecture. During this intensive program, participants will be challenged to spend a week unplugged while considering Frank Lloyd Wright’s ideas, completing a series of hands-on exercises in the studio and developing a personal project inspired by their time in residence.
This residency is led by Chatham University Professor Doug North Cook who started the university’s Immersive Media Program in 2018. He also develops virtual reality art and narrative experiences, and games with a small international team. Doug’s work combines his passion for VR/AR with his obsession with design thinking and theory. His work as both an educator and creator explores our relationship to space, the changing nature of human scale and impact of architectural design on spatial computing.
Features
- Direct access to Fallingwater
- On-site housing
- In-depth discussions related to design thinking, user experience, design process, project conceptualization, accessibility and more
- Hands-on studio activities, exploring prototyping, project ideation, sketching and storyboarding, interface design and more
Program Sessions
About the Instructors
Doug North Cook
Doug is a designer, professor, and researcher focused on immersive experience design. He was the founding faculty for the Immersive Media programs at Chatham University, lead instructor for the Immersive Design Residencies at Fallingwater, and is currently Head of VR Fund at Robot Teddy (the team working with Among Us VR, SUPERHOT, The Last Clockwinder, and others). His upcoming book, Human Spatial Computing, co-authored with NYU Professor Regine Gilbert, will be published by Oxford University Press in late 2023.
Facilities
Participants will stay at High Meadow, an award-winning residence designed by AIA Gold Medalist architect Peter Bohlin, founding principal of the firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. The property is situated within the 5,100-acre Bear Run Nature Reserve, which surrounds Fallingwater. High Meadow includes eight bedrooms, each with twin beds and a private bath as well as a kitchen and common areas for relaxing, dining and meeting. High Meadow’s setting, with its unsurpassed views of nearby Chestnut Ridge, is bound to inspire creativity. Classes are held at the adjacent Cheteyan Studio and on site at Fallingwater. All meals are provided.
Eligibility
Technology professionals having at least 1-2 years of experience in professional practice as well as experience with developing content for virtual, augmented, or mixed reality platforms will be considered. Enrollment limited to 10 students per session.
Program Sessions
Immersive Design Residency
October 19 - October 24, 2023
Tuition $1,200
Price includes housing, meals, materials and tours.
Application
Applications are accepted year-round.
For more information, contact fallingwaterinstitute@paconserve.org.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
If you cancel your registration for a one-day workshop any time up to 30 days before the day of the program, you will receive a refund minus a $25 processing fee.
If you cancel your registration for a multi-day program (residencies, Insight/Onsite, etc.) any time up to 30 days before the first day of the program, you will receive a refund minus a $50 processing fee and a $150 cancellation fee.
If you cancel less than 30 days before the first day of a Fallingwater Institute program, refunds are not available.