The New SustainAbility.
At GreenBuild 2013 in Philadelphia, I was a co-presenter for an education session on Universal Design. What follows is the essence of that hour-long presentation condensed for this column and limited to words (no 60 slide PowerPoint show or case studies!).
We currently design and build structures that last 100+ years, yet these buildings cannot be effectively used by a large portion of the population for a variety of reasons. Social justice is not only about economic and geographic considerations, but also includes human abilities, sizes, age, cognition and the senses. Universal Design is not synonymous with Aging in Place or ADA and is not only for “special” people. Architects, as lead designers of the built environment, need to understand how Universal Design and Sustainability are inextricably linked.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
Universal Design can be defined as follows:
the design of products and environments to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible without the need for adaptation or specialized design. - Ron Mace, FAIA, The Center for Universal Design, NC State University.
A framework for the design of buildings, products and information technology usable by the widest range of people. - Valerie Fletcher, The Institute for Human Centered Design.
Just as good Sustainable Design is not simply checking boxes on a green design checklist, good Universal Design is not simply fulfilling an accessibility checklist, meeting building code minimums or following the ADA.
WHO NEEDS IT?
Ask yourself these questions:
Do you, a relative or friend use a cane, wheelchair or walker?
Do you, a relative or friend have any loss of hearing or sight?
Have you had a broken limb or a temporary disability?
Have you ever pushed a child in a stroller?
Let’s be realistic, humans range in ability, size, age, cognition and sense acuity. Embrace designing for the entire range, not just a narrow portion considered the “norm”.
BACKGROUND: CIVIL RIGHTS
Our GreenBuild slide presentation included a great photograph from the 1960’s. It’s a group of wheelchair riders sitting in front of a bus. There’s a large sign on the back of one wheelchair that says “I can’t even get to the back of the bus”! The good news is we have made some progress since then. Before the Disability Rights Movement, unemployment and lack of education were inevitable results of having a disability - Society said “that’s YOUR problem”! Now, societal barriers and prejudice CREATE inferior economic and social status - SOCIETY should not prevent employment or education.
DESIGN FOR THE USER
Architecture 101: It’s about the User! Let’s think about Good Design as a series of successively larger spheres that begins with the User. The central sphere includes physical, aesthetic and emotional considerations (the Program). Then, the next larger sphere is Site. From there we move onto Community, then Planet. Sound familiar? Now, let’s think about what’s good for the Users in terms of Universal Design: user controls, flexibility, user life cycles, durability, economics, right fit, indoor air quality, to name a few. Next, let’s think about what’s good for our Planet in terms of Green Design: livable communities, adaptive reuse, resource materials, native plants, recycled materials, net zero energy, local sourcing, etc. Yes, there’s some overlap here!
Let’s broaden our thinking. In 1992, William McDonough and Michael Braungart published The Hannover Principles, Design for Sustainability. Consider these excerpts and how Sustainability and Universal Design are synonymous:
Insist on the right of humans and Nature to co-exist in a healthy, supportive, diverse, and sustainable condition.
Emphasize the full life-cycle of what we create.
Accept the consequences of design decisions upon human well-being, the viability of natural
systems, and their right to co-exist.
To summarize, Good Design is good for Body, Earth and Spirit. It adapts to our needs, to our planet and inspires us to to do the same. Universal Design is Good Design.
DEFINING “SUSTAIN”
The following are common definitions for the listed words most commonly associated with sustainable, sustainability, etc. Consider how these words, definitions and the statement from the 1987 UN Conference can include Universal Design.
Maintain: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
Strengthen: Support physically or mentally.
Uphold: Affirm and confirm the justice or validity of.
Balance: Conserving balance by avoiding depletion of resources.
Sustainable developments meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. - 1987 UN Conference.
THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN
In 1997, Ron Mace (see credential above) collaborated with a group of architects, product designers, engineers and environmental designers to develop the Seven Principles of Universal Design. Unlike the codes, these are ideas to inspire creativity.
Equitable Use - Consider diverse abilities - can everyone operate the window?
Flexibility - Use it with either hand, when seated, when standing.
Simple & Intuitive - A door push bar that people don’t try to pull.
Perceptible Information - Communicate with touch + sound + language.
Tolerance for Error - Readable, clear environments minimize hazards.
Low Physical Effort - Avoid bending, reaching, and high effort controls.
Size & Space for Approach & Use - Can everyone get in and use an area? How about two people with wheelchairs?
My GreenBuild co-presenters were Erick Mikiten, AIA of Mikiten Architecture in Berkeley CA www.mikitenarch.com and Karen Braitmayer, FAIA an Accessibility Consultant in Seattle WA www.braitmayer.com. I was honored to share the stage with these two heavyweights in the world of accessibility and Universal Design.
