Non-discriminatory building design

2013-05-03T13:54:09Z

Kjparker: Created page with " Non-discriminatory Building Design Background Over the last two/three decades there has been great progress in making the built environment (buildings, streets and transportat..."

Non-discriminatory Building Design

Background

Over the last two/three decades there has been great progress in making the built environment (buildings, streets and transportation) more accessible, especially for persons with disability and seniors. This is reflected in the introduction of Acts, codes, standards and regulations such as the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)(1995) and it’s successor the Equality Act (2010). For buildings more specific requirements are stipulated in the Building Regulations Part M (2004, amended 2013) and British Standards.

Experiential Discrimination

Experiential discrimination occurs when users do not get to enjoy the same experience of a building or building feature – this has been well recognised in that one entrance should serve all (that is no “special” entrance for wheelchair users, for example). In this way, discrimination is designed-out when consideration is made for persons of different abilities (strengths and weaknesses in physical, sensory and cognitive areas). Within the domain of cognitive impairments are persons with phobias which is a significant group of persons who are not yet given much design attention!

An example of Experiential Discrimination is when a building has a central area that is served by escalators. Those who do not wish to use, or cannot safely use, the escalators require a lift. The lift should have a window so that those who use the lift are not denied the experience of appreciating the atria and this also supports those with claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces, or those spaces with no escape). However, an additional enclosed lift would support those who have agoraphobia (fear of open spaces, or those spaces perceived as hard to escape from). Passengers would thus be given a choice of lift type to better serve their preferences.

For seniors, distance is a barrier, therefore good design would provide seating at intervals to allow rest and recovery. This is of particular importance on staircases where seats half way up a staircase can enable seniors to rest with dignity. Also, a flip-down seat in a lift can be comfortable for seniors if the lift becomes jammed between floors, and the benefits of shower seats are well known and appreciated.

Another example of Experiential Discrimination is based upon the result of studies that show that 10-30% of the population is left-handed and therefore the built environment is predominantly designed for right-handed users. However, someone who has a stroke is often affected on the left-hand side of the brain that affects the right-hand side of the body. Those who have a stroke are therefore likely to be paralysed on their right and hence become, effectively, left-handed. For this reason, it would be good if the handedness of buildings could be adjusted (in terms of door openings, light switch locations, etc.), something for future development in adaptable buildings?!

Signage can also be misinterpreted and hence discriminatory. The international sign for disability is the white wheelchair symbol on a blue background. This is not meant to be a “for wheelchair users” sign but is often interpreted as such. A senior or pregnant lady, for example, may see the symbol on a lift and then decide that they should not use it (self-discrimination) and hence struggle on a staircase with shopping and the unnecessary risk of tripping/ falling. There have been many attempts to develop a new symbol but nothing has arisen as a more inclusive replacement to the present one!

Conclusion

Designers, and others who bring designs into realisation, do not deliberately discriminate against users or persons with particular disability. It is hoped that future generations of designers will become more empathetic to the needs of a wider range of users and therefore help create built environments that can be used and enjoyed by a wide spectrum of users in a natural, unforced, way.

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User:Kjparker

2013-05-03T13:50:31Z

Kjparker: Created page with " Dr Kenneth J Parker FCIBSE I am a Building Services Engineer, leading the BEng course at Coventry University and a disability advocate. Views expressed are my own and not nece..."

Dr Kenneth J Parker FCIBSE

I am a Building Services Engineer, leading the BEng course at Coventry University and a disability advocate.

Views expressed are my own and not necessarily those of my employer.

Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Non-discriminatory building design

User:Kjparker