Making Universal Design Attractive to Architects and Planners

Jon Christophersen, Researcher, Architect, Norwegian Building Research Institute, Norway

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Abstract

The paper presents a new publication from two central government institutions in Norway, the National Office of Building Technology and Administration and the Norwegian State Housing Bank. Although the booklet is aimed at Norwegian architects and planners, and is only available in Norwegian language, it addresses the international problem of making universal design (and by extension also accessibility) interesting and inspiring to architects. The publication sets out to do this in a novel manner, putting the emphasis on integrating accessibility and Universal Design into the architecture, combining 3D sketches and diagrams, photographs and check lists to illustrate the relationships between the whole, the individual parts and the architecture and the detailing. In addition, three introductory chapters present an overview of the political and social aims of integration and inclusion and the corresponding legislation.

Introduction

Most architects in the developed world are well acquainted with the requirements for accessibility in the built environment. Their general attitude, however, is that accessibility - and by extension also Universal Design - mainly hinders the flexibility needed to create designs with architectural merit. Research has also shown that architects know next to nothing about planning for disabilities other than mobility. The often correctly founded criticism about lack of accessibility that has been levelled by disabled people and their organisations against architects and planners has done little to improve matters. A basic shift, to make the planning professionals see Universal Design as a means to create better architecture rather than hindering and complicating their work, is needed.

Concentration on detail requirements that bear little direct relationship to the totality of the architecture and architectural principles seem to be one of the main reasons for the architects' negative attitudes. To reach the designers' minds, information on accessibility and Universal Design needs to be given a different focus. The new publication attempts to do just that.

Main Aim

The main aim has been to show how the overall architectural solution is both dependant of and can be enhanced by integrating accessibility issues into the design. Three central points are therefore stressed throughout:

1. Building functions are to be assessed in terms of usability for disabled people; anything less will fail to meet the functional requirements laid down in the building regulations.



2. Where planning permission/permit to build is needed or specific, state sponsored economic incentives are to be obtained, the solutions have to do more than meet the minimum requirements for wheelchair accessibility. Not only must the proposed works be accessible for people with impaired hearing, seeing and cognitive faculties, but the minimum dimensions for wheelchair accessibility will be insufficient in a number of building types.



3. Features relating to Universal Design/accessibility encompass the entirety of the architectural design, from siting, architectural form and concept down to the minutiae of choosing materials and detailing. This also implies that accessibility must be considered at all stages in the design and execution.

Presentation and Structure

Architects and designers communicate chiefly by visual means, using drawings, symbols and pictures rather than written texts. Recognising this, the booklet relies heavily on graphics. 3D computer sketches are used to show the totality and the relationship between the whole and the parts, with symbols and photographs pinpointing critical features. The symbols are further employed to index checklists in the form of tables.

There is, furthermore, a clear structure running through the design guide chapters that make up the main part of the booklet. In each sub-section of these chapters, a 3D sketch introduces the setting. Next, an explanatory short text runs through the aims and means that the designs have to meet, whilst photographs further illustrate solutions and problems. At the end of each subsection, tables list minimum requirements, specifications and recommendations (suggesting solutions for settings where the minimum requirements may be insufficient ) and a column of comments. Thus, architects and planners will be able to find examples, requirements that satisfy several levels of accessibility and, importantly, to see how detail solutions relate both to the larger, overall settings and to sensible levels of usability related to the building type and function.

In addition to the design guide, there is an appendix containing a quick reference table and various references. The wider political aims, the basics of Universal Design and the need to plan for a wide range of human abilities are briefly explained in three short introductory chapters. Also included are two reports by architects in which they describe the experience of visiting their own buildings wearing glasses that simulate impaired vision (see fig. 1). The legislation and legal responsibilities are given as an outline in a separate chapter. Figure 2 shows the structure of the legal framework.

Fig. 1: Glasses used to simulate loss of vision.

Fig. 2: The structure of codes, regulations, guidelines and standards relating to planning and building. Few architects or builders are fully aware of the interplay between different codes, regulations and guidelines.

The Design Guide

The presentation method and the content of the design guide are not only the most important sections of the booklet, but also the parts from which lessons may be drawn. This paper therefore concentrates design guide, presenting the content in some detail.

The various subsections of the design guide follow a consistent layout and structure, as follows:

1. 3D sketches of the setting
   Depending on the subject, the sketch can be anything from a site plan or an entire building to a part of an interior



2. Short texts
   The texts state the main intentions and outline how sufficient levels of usability can be achieved. Point by point the main usability problems related to the subject are defined, and the level of accessibility that should be achieved and the reasons behind it are explained and described.



3. Photos of built examples
   Recognising that no building and few of the elements inside or outside are ever perfectly designed, the photos, taken from actual buildings, demonstrate that individual designs can consist of successful as well as unsuccessful and sometimes unlawful elements.



4. Check list
   The intention of the check lists is to provide references to regulations and approved solutions and to comment on them, thus making it easier for planners to choose a level of accessibility that harmonises with the building/building type and to design accordingly.

Throughout the booklet, sketches, photos and check lists are stamped with symbols pointing to the usability features that have to be considered by the planners. This method was chosen because graphic symbols of this kind are being increasingly used in computer design programs and are by now a way of communicating which modern architects and designers can easily relate to.

The symbols are colour coded in green, blue, orange and yellow. The first two relate to mobility/circulation and handling/usage. Orange concerns orientation, i. e. hearing, seeing and understanding. Yellow has to do with conditions that might cause irritations to skin, throat and lungs, for instance air quality, pollutants, surface treatments and finishes (emissions and touch). The symbols are explained in the table below.

Fig. 3: Symbols used in the design guide.

Presentation and Content

The design guide is divided into three main chapters, each with several subsections:

1. 1. Outdoor space:
   • approach road/path and external circulation
   • parking
   • recreation space
2. Architectural planning:
   • entry
   • circulation routes and spaces
   • rooms in dwellings, public buildings and places of work
3. 3. Elements, installations, fittings and furnishing:
   • lifts/elevators
   • stairs and ramps
   • doors, windows and glazed areas
   • induction loops
   • markings, signage, information boards
   • fittings and fixtures
   • electrical installations and equipment

The following paragraphs describe the content and the presentation in detail.

Outdoor space; recreation
The setting

Fig. 4: Outdoor areas - the setting

The emphasis in the sketch above is on the relationship between the entire setting and the outdoor recreational spaces (shaded). Thus, the approach, parking and the main circulation space (to the roof garden) are included - but without shading; these are the subject of other subsections. Important issues such as space requirements, surface treatment, changes of level and slopes are indicated. (The yellow symbol which should indicate concerns for allergies is, however, missing.)

The sketch also appears with various shadings indicating the part of the outdoor areas that is being dealt with in the first of the three design guide chapters. The sketch is also the starting point for more detailed drawings in the later chapters as well as - in a slightly different version than the one above - being used on the cover of the booklet.

The Text

The explanatory paragraphs following the sketch relate general concerns such as siting, design, size, slopes and changes of levels, choice of surfaces, vegetation and the use of lighting. Under these headings the basic functional aims are described, particularly that paths, play areas and areas with seating should be usable for all age groups regardless of disabilities. This implies flat or gently sloping ground, right angled turns and hard, level surfaces. There are recommendations for good lighting and choice of vegetation that takes asthma and allergies into account.

The Examples

Fig 5: Path through a housing area

Fig. 6: Nature trail

The photos include of a path through a housing area and a nature trail (figs 5 and 6 above). The first shows an intersection where a path through green space meets a road through the area. Important features are hard surfaces, edges marked with light grey stones giving a contrast to the darker asphalt, and the change of surface material where the footpath meets the pavement. All goes to show that not only can accessibility for people with mobility impairments be accommodated, but it is also quite possible to include features to aid orientation in an inconspicuous way. The edges and the change of surface material will be sufficient for most people with impaired vision. The bollards, although necessary to stop cars from using the footpath may be somewhat hazardous to those that are hard of seeing.

The nature trail may not provide ideal conditions for people using wheelchairs, as gravel is used on the footpath (although attempts have been made to create a level and as hard a surface as possible). However, there is no change of level between the footpath and the wooden surface in front of the small, ordinary (for Norway) structure that contains an accessible toilet. Only the wheelchair sign by the door indicates that the facility is accessible for handicapped people. Note also the contrast between the dark door and the lighter natural timber walls.

The Checklist

Fig. 7: Recreation space checklist

The check list not only refers the actual requirements that the guide book to the building regulations lays down as minimum performance criteria (second column) , but also recommends solutions and gives some specifications that will give better accessibility than the minimum (third column). The column on the extreme right gives some explanations and comments on the performance requirements listed in columns two and three. The column on the left that lists the various issues also includes the symbols.

Architectural Planning

This chapter has three main sections: entry, circulation space and functional rooms. The latter section consists of a general introduction and further subsections dealing with rooms in different buildings - housing, public buildings (with comments on a number of different types) and work places. To limit the scope of this paper, the descriptions will be limited to the entry and circulation space subsections and some comments on two sketches from the functional rooms subsection showing a life span dwelling and a particularly important room - WC.

Entry and Circulation

The complexities involved when planning and designing good and functional entry spaces to buildings are brought out in the introductory 3D sketch. It shows a blown-up portion of the building/setting in the previous chapter (fig 4 above). The next chapter in the guide uses further blow-ups based on the entry and the circulation space sketches.

The sketch identifies a route through the entry space and a large number of points that designers need to handle correctly. The area shaded light green in the sketch shows the route up to and through the entry, connecting to stair well, lift and corridors, indicating places where attention must be paid to provide sufficient space. Doors, information and communication boards, glass manifestations etc are highlighted, presenting both the details and the setting. (The sketches in the previous chapter place the entry in relation to the rest of the building.)

Fig. 8: A portion of the building shown in fig. 4 is enlarged, showing the different areas of concern in more detail.

The 3D circulation space sketch is a blow-up of another part of the building, showing simply an ordinary corridor. The circulation route is once again shaded light green. Symbols and shading indicate the space concerns for turning off the corridor and accessing the accommodation off it, while issues concerning the doors - door signs, contrast colours on doors and handles, force needed to twist handles and open doors etc are identified by means of the appropriate symbols.

Fig. 9: Circulation space; common features in an ordinary corridor

The texts that accompany the 3D sketches list the main issues in and around the entry and circulation spaces. They describe the space concerns, both in the entry and communication spaces themselves and at doors, notice boards/sings and communication equipment. They stress low thresholds, the need to avoid changes of level but to have flat, slip resistant and even floor surface materials, and put particular emphasis on lighting as well as the need to make the circulation routes clear and unambiguous. Floor markings to aid orientation are recommended. The use of colour contrasts to highlight important features such as information boards, name plates door bells etc is particularly stressed, as there is evidence that neither markings nor contrast colours are being used correctly or sufficiently in most new designs.

Examples of Entry and Circulation Space

Among the examples in the entry and circulation space sections are photos of big public buildings where large numbers of users can be expected. Both are buildings where there are particular needs to create the best possible conditions for an easy traffic flow, i.e. a high degree of accessibility as well as trouble free wayfinding and simple orientation.

The examples below (figs 10 and 11) show a fairly well designed entry and a less well executed terminal building. Although floor markings to aid orientation are lacking and orientation boards are absent in the former, the space is easy to understand, and most necessary contrasts are in place without being conspicuous. Even, and rare in Norway, the manifestations on the glass doors work as though they were provided in two heights (admittedly, grey is not the ideal colour).

Fig. 10: Entry to a public building in a city centre

The terminal building (fig. 11) is a large undifferentiated space. The patterned and reflecting flooring material does nothing to help orientation - but might, along with the absence of signage contribute to confusion. There is nothing to stop blind people from colliding with the sculpture. A difficult space for anyone with orientation impairments.

Fig. 11: airport terminal

The Entry and Circulation Space Checklist

Fig. 12: Entry and circulation space check list

As in the outdoor space checklist, the symbols are included in the extreme left hand column while the next three columns list minimum performance, recommended performance/solutions and comments. Importantly, the table lists not only features necessary to achieve accessibility for people with reduced mobility, but also, and in equal measure features relating to sight. Note also the comment in he extreme right hand corner which clearly states that installations commonly and unlawfully are unsatisfactorily designed and often put in inaccessible positions.

Functional Rooms

As mentioned above, this section goes into different building types in some detail. The presentation below is limited to two of the 3D sketches, a life span dwelling and an accessible toilet required in public buildings and places of work.

The life span dwelling (fig 13) is a well known standard of accessibility in Norway. Its most important rooms - entry, bathroom kitchen, living room, master bedroom and hallways are accessible for wheelchair users (although not for the largest models of wheelchairs). Many architects wrongly interpret the standard as one that simply requires turning spaces for wheelchairs to be marked on the plan. The 3D sketch shows otherwise: The shaded green area indicates a continuous, accessible and level circulation pattern that connects all rooms and the main functions in each room, up to and including bedroom cupboards, kitchen fittings and private outdoor space. As one of the two publishers, the Norwegian State Housing Bank, not only is the main advocate for life span dwellings in the country, but also provides economic incentives, there is every reason to expect that the design guide's section on life span dwellings will be made widely known, and that designers will gain a better understanding of how to plan life span dwellings correctly.

Fig. 13: 3D sketch of a life span dwelling showing the circulation pattern connecting the main functions.

The problems regarding planning of accessible toilets are no different than in overall planning. Few designers have understood the motion patterns involved when using a wheelchair, and few know how people with impaired vision find their way. The text and the examples accompanying the 3D sketch of an accessible toilet (fig 14) describe the need for and the correct use of contrast colours. The sketch itself attempts to show how wheelchair users access the room, the toilet and the wash hand basin.

Fig 14. 3D sketch of an accessible toilet required in public buildings and work places showing the motion patterns involved when accessing the room in a wheelchair.

Elements: Lifts/Elevators, Doors, Signs, etc.

This chapter has numerous subsections. The structure, however, is the same as before: 3D sketches with symbols indicating critical points followed by an explanatory text, then photos of examples marked again with symbols, and finally, the checklists.

As an example for this paper, the selection below is summarised from the subsection on lifts. Importantly, the illustrations, the text and check list deal both with the lift car and the landings. It covers both the usual requirements for accessible height of lift controls, and several features that are commonly overlooked. These include not only the design of the lift controls and signals, i.e. contrast colours on lift buttons, visual and auditory signals in the car and on landings, but also space requirements.

Designers commonly overlook the need for turning space on landings as well as in the lift car. To give a better understanding of the latter problem, the 3D sketch attempts to show how a wheelchair user enters the lift and moves inside the car. The need for and the use of contrast colours and markings is further explained in the text and emphasised in the photographs and the check list.

Fig. 15. Entering and using lifts.

Fig. 16. The best possible conditions: Good lighting,
contrast colour on the lift door, controls in proper heights
and the approach to lift clearly and unambiguously marked.

Fig. 17. Control buttons in the lift car a set at an angle to the wall, in the correct height and in contrast colours.

The Checklist

As shown below, the check list gives minimum requirements and recommendations for the dimensions of the lift car, the landings, doors, the positions of lift controls and signals as well as the gap between lift floor and landings. In addition, emphasis is given to contrast colours and markings.

Fig. 18. Lift check list

Summing Up

It is the expressed hope of the authors and publishers of the guide book that the systematic, step by step approach linking the whole and the individual parts will provide architects with a better and more interesting guide to design highly accessible and more usable buildings. It is also a hope that it can be a basis from which to develop more refined and more appealing guidelines so that architects may see that Universal Design can support be the creative process rather than being a straitjacket

Fig. 19. Overview of the design guide

References

The booklet can be downloaded at http://www.be.no/beweb/regler/meldinger/043UniversellUtf.pdf (See chapters 4-8.1, pp 32-88 for the design guide)

Christophersen, J. Bedre tilgjengelighet i nye byggverk (Better accessibility in new construction). The Norwegian Building Research Institute Project Report No 321. Oslo 2002

Bringa, O.R, Christophersen, Nordang, A, R., and J. Ronnevig T., Bygg for alle (Building for All) Guide book on Universal Design of Buildings and Outdoor Spaces. The National Office of Building Technology and Administration/The Norwegian State Housing Bank. Oslo 2004

Photo and graphic credits:

• Fig. 5, 6, Jon Christophersen
• Fig. 10 Svein Magne Fredriksen
• Fig. 11. Guy Fehn
• Fig. 16, 17, Jon Christophersen
• Graphichs in fig. 4, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, Patrik Bergman, Griff kommunikasjon A/S

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