Multidisciplinary Innovation in Design Computing launched by SCDC

The Stuckeman Center for Design Computing (SCDC) at Penn State is carving its place as a premier design research and learning center with an ambitious vision for international relevance. Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, the SCDC fosters a vibrant culture of innovation that integrates faculty, doctoral researchers, master’s, and undergraduate students. Its mission is to advance the boundaries of design education and research while leveraging Penn State’s status as a leading public research university in the United States.

Housed within the Stuckeman School, part of the College of Arts and Architecture, the SCDC builds upon the school’s excellence in architecture, landscape architecture, and graphic design. By forming partnerships with scientific and humanities disciplines, the center aims to create impactful, design-centered collaborations. These initiatives extend beyond academia, forging connections with industry and peer institutions nationally and internationally, further enhancing its role as a multidisciplinary hub.

The SCDC features state-of-the-art facilities that support cutting-edge research and teaching. Key resources include:

Immersive Environments Laboratory: Under reconstruction to provide enhanced virtual and augmented reality capabilities.

Stuckeman Center Laboratory: A dynamic workspace fostering collaboration among diverse research projects.

Digital Fabrication Laboratory: Equipped with advanced architectural robotics, offering hands-on exploration of design technologies.

These facilities create an environment conducive to innovation, allowing students and researchers to experiment, prototype, and push the boundaries of traditional design methodologies.

To enhance visibility and engagement, the SCDC has introduced initiatives aimed at disseminating its work effectively. A yearly open house event in the SCDC Laboratory showcases ongoing and completed projects through interactive demos, exhibitions, and talks, inviting participation from the entire Stuckeman community. Additionally, the center is developing a media-rich, responsive website that will serve as a comprehensive platform to highlight its projects and research teams, presenting itself as a "Lab of Labs."

Headquartered in the architecturally significant Stuckeman Family Building, the SCDC provides a collaborative space where faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and students from diverse backgrounds converge. The lab serves as a springboard for innovative projects that explore the intersection of design, technology, and real-world applications.

Through its dedication to multidisciplinary research and advanced instruction, the SCDC is shaping the future of design education, inspiring students and professionals to create meaningful, impactful solutions that resonate across industries and communities worldwide.