universal designuniversal design1.2 cities, buildings1.2 cities, buildings

and parks for everyone,and parks for everyone,a universal designa universal design

compendiumcompendium

Professor Singmund Asmervik, Professor Singmund Asmervik, Agricultural University of NowayAgricultural University of Noway

Universal design:

“making all of society available and accessible to everyone, regardless of functional ablity”

Professor Sigmund Asmervik

The essence of U.D.

Two aspects of the concept of universal design deserve special attention.

One is the principel that we should plan and design for everyone without making special solutions of particular groups of the population due to age or functionality considerations.U.D. should help to remove or at least move away from the “we and you”, “us and them” approach.

The second aspect is that by working with U.D., the students are forced to devote attention to the needs and requirements of various groups.Hence it is inevitable to cooperate with other professions.

Some good examples of the practice of U.D.

- Barcelona (Spain) - Barcelona (Spain)

- R- Røros (Norway)øros (Norway)

- University centre of Dragvoll in Trondheim (Norway)- University centre of Dragvoll in Trondheim (Norway)- Sommerfrydhagen at Tøyen (Oslo)Sommerfrydhagen at Tøyen (Oslo)- Sinnenas Trädgård Stockholm SwedenSinnenas Trädgård Stockholm Sweden

Background for the concept of U.D.Background for the concept of U.D.

The universal design concept is American, and this country led the way in the 90s with its intense efforts to The universal design concept is American, and this country led the way in the 90s with its intense efforts to facilitate society for everyone.facilitate society for everyone.

The concept simply means an attitude or way of considering things, where surroundings, buildings and products The concept simply means an attitude or way of considering things, where surroundings, buildings and products are planned and designed so they can be used by anyone to the greatest extent possible.are planned and designed so they can be used by anyone to the greatest extent possible.

1940s: “Le modulor”: Corbusier; attention to the ergonomics of the human body.1940s: “Le modulor”: Corbusier; attention to the ergonomics of the human body.

1960s: ”solutions for the handicapped”: stigmatization of this group in a negative way1960s: ”solutions for the handicapped”: stigmatization of this group in a negative way

1977: Architect Michael Bednar: removing physical barriers1977: Architect Michael Bednar: removing physical barriers

1980s: accessible design popular concept in USA. 1980s: accessible design popular concept in USA.

Solely focused on physical challenged peopleSolely focused on physical challenged people

1990s: ADA Americans with Disabilities Act: American constitution1990s: ADA Americans with Disabilities Act: American constitution

Widening the focus of accessibility from a single building to it’s Widening the focus of accessibility from a single building to it’s

environment and even further to the entire social society.environment and even further to the entire social society.

““Special design has often led to separation instead of integration.”Special design has often led to separation instead of integration.”

““U.D. is also very much about designing for the entire course of life.”U.D. is also very much about designing for the entire course of life.”

The universality of functionalismThe universality of functionalism

BauhausBauhaus: Walter Gropius: Functionallity : Walter Gropius: Functionallity functionalism functionalism aesthetics of functionalism aesthetics of functionalism

Form Follows FunctionForm Follows Function

CorbusierCorbusier: The ramp as a central architectonic element (Villa Savoye).: The ramp as a central architectonic element (Villa Savoye).

Frank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd Wright: Spiraling inner ramp: light inclination (Guggenheim museum).: Spiraling inner ramp: light inclination (Guggenheim museum).

Mies van der RoheMies van der Rohe: Fluent transition between outside and inside: easily and effortless movement.: Fluent transition between outside and inside: easily and effortless movement.

Alvator AaltoAlvator Aalto: Great concern for the users of the building; door handles at various heights.: Great concern for the users of the building; door handles at various heights.

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The house for everyoneThe house for everyoneThe university centre of at dragvoll, TrondheimThe university centre of at dragvoll, Trondheim

Architects: Henning Larsen’s Architect Office Architects: Henning Larsen’s Architect Office (Copenhagen)(Copenhagen)

The idea was to build a dense city based on a block The idea was to build a dense city based on a block structure of approximately 100m x 100m. The most structure of approximately 100m x 100m. The most special aspect of this design are the glass-covered special aspect of this design are the glass-covered streets, a generally untried concept at this time in the streets, a generally untried concept at this time in the 1970s.1970s.

The financial benefits compared to traditional streets The financial benefits compared to traditional streets have been proven in the aspects of snow clearing, regular have been proven in the aspects of snow clearing, regular maintenance and energy consumption for heating. maintenance and energy consumption for heating. Furthermore these streets create several natural Furthermore these streets create several natural meeting-places.meeting-places.

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In relation to the In relation to the principle of equal opportunities principle of equal opportunities for use and flexibilityfor use and flexibility, we may state that this , we may state that this university centre is well designed. We notice this already university centre is well designed. We notice this already when we reach the entrance doors, where a light push on an when we reach the entrance doors, where a light push on an automatic door opener gives easy entrance. With no need for automatic door opener gives easy entrance. With no need for long detours to reach destination and with clear signs, the long detours to reach destination and with clear signs, the principle of simple and intuitive use and principle of simple and intuitive use and easily comprehensible informationeasily comprehensible information has been well has been well

handled. An example of the handled. An example of the principle of tolerance of principle of tolerance of errors and designerrors and design to alleviate the risk of accidents and to alleviate the risk of accidents and injuries is the railing found by some stairs to prevent people injuries is the railing found by some stairs to prevent people with visual impairment and others from bumping their heads. with visual impairment and others from bumping their heads. The The principle of good sizes and spaces for principle of good sizes and spaces for access and useaccess and use is enhanced by the wide streets. is enhanced by the wide streets.

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Measures for enhanced accessibilityMeasures for enhanced accessibility

- Automatic entrance doors near parking area’s Automatic entrance doors near parking area’s

- New door opening buttons and panels by liftsNew door opening buttons and panels by lifts

- All exit doors replaced by infrared sensor sliding doorsAll exit doors replaced by infrared sensor sliding doors

- Information desks at suitable heightsInformation desks at suitable heights

- Auditorium feature adjustable tables for wheelchair usersAuditorium feature adjustable tables for wheelchair users

- All stairs are well markedAll stairs are well marked

- Maps of auditoria indicate good visibility area’sMaps of auditoria indicate good visibility area’s

- staircases in communal areas were marked with white tilesstaircases in communal areas were marked with white tiles

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The park for everyoneThe park for everyone

The Sabbatsberg area in Stockholm.The Sabbatsberg area in Stockholm.

The purpose of this park was to create a garden that would function as therapy for elderly persons suffering from The purpose of this park was to create a garden that would function as therapy for elderly persons suffering from dementia.dementia.

Sinnenas TrädgårdSinnenas Trädgård

Taking a closer look at S.T., we see that it is designed around familiar elements from private gardens and some Taking a closer look at S.T., we see that it is designed around familiar elements from private gardens and some features of classical monastery gardens.features of classical monastery gardens.

Some examples used in the park:Some examples used in the park:

•The framework consists of a wooden fence and a hedge. This provides a sense of space, safety, shelter against The framework consists of a wooden fence and a hedge. This provides a sense of space, safety, shelter against wind and a boundary against the outside traffic.wind and a boundary against the outside traffic.

•An exercise railing with large handrails and wrought iron An exercise railing with large handrails and wrought iron

latticework is used to exercise the sense of balancelatticework is used to exercise the sense of balance

and for support when walkingand for support when walking

•Using different types of flowers and smells at different Using different types of flowers and smells at different places, a guideline by smell is created.places, a guideline by smell is created.

•There is also a fence provided between the Vasa park en There is also a fence provided between the Vasa park en the S.T. so the elderly can still see and hear the children the S.T. so the elderly can still see and hear the children without having to worry about being run into by children and without having to worry about being run into by children and dogs.dogs.