Concepts of Universal Design in Architecture

Concepts of Universal architectural plan in ArchitectureThere are many misconceptions surrounding the predilection of planetary design. People oft believe that providing the disabled with signage or a ramp is sufficient and practices the ideals of popular design. What wad must understand is that universal proposition design is about providing these necessary amenities to the disabled without segregating them from the norm of society.It is to a fault about creating a shoes that fecal matter withstand treble environments and the fads of meter as a timeless creation. In a univers every(prenominal)y designed world massess differences are non highlighted by construct usage merely are designed for and create seamlessness between pulmonary tuberculosisrs. The bottom up theory is looked to by many interior decorators when establishing universal space it works on the premise that the building users, the architect is serving entangle those with disabilities are all nation who can be treated as normal people2 and with this you must pouch at the bottom of the pyramid and aim to reach the top and secure universal design. Questions to confacer when designing a universally designed space may be how this space will respond to different environments or eras and as the user or users change what will be the result to how it is used.Universal designed has been outlined and defined into seven dominions that can be applied to a blanket(a) range of areas including architectural spaces to product design. impartial useFlexibility in useSimple and intuitive recognizable informationTolerance for errorLow physical effort size of it and space for approach and usemain course biography HeadquartersAccess musical accompaniment is an organization that started in the early 1970s and has been committed to refilling and growth of disabled peoples by the support of disabled peoples. This company has ad hominem with a multitude of disabilities and unique challenges th at they encounter. In March 5, 2007 lowest common multiple Architects train by partner John H. Catlin, FAIA designed access livings main supply in Chicago with non only a universal contract by as a sustainable design direction. This 50,000 115 westward Chicago Avenue. business footprint for Access living truly reflects the committee of the company and reinforces their ideals to empower the options available to differences of others. It has been awarded the Barrier Free America submit from Paralyzed Veterans of America A sustainable design award from AIA the stylus Setter Award from Friends of Downtown LEED Gold Certification and a silver gray Award from the Association of Licensed Architects.Design SolutionsLCM architects started the vision of universal design, by choosing an affectionate location and con nervering building approach. The building is no more than two blocks from the local trains underground station and from the city bus. This fold kin not only encourages green transportation only if it offerd for uses that may not have other modes of transportation and its prime location allows for people from multiple locations to be able to utile this feature with ease. In addition to the servant of close proximity, the garage of the building has designated spaces that allow for electric vehicles to be recharged for use.As users approach, the building integrates two curb drop offs seamlessly added to allow for users coming from pass level and for pluckchair lifts to have a direct route to the main building entrance4. Being in a colder climate of the United States, architect Catlin devised a firmness of purpose to deal with iced sidewalks in the winter months by designing a heated concrete sidewalks and well lit approaches. All of these features lead at once into the entrance of the building that is separated by two sets of sliding doors that turn out directly off the sidewalk. These doors have a wide opening of cardinal inches to allow f or easy mobility or two wheelchairs in passing. at once you see in to building for access living, its well designed interior buttonhole space and furniture selection leaves you no clue that this space is universally designed. LCM architects and there team of designers took close consideration into their interior choices be conscience of spacing, materials, colors and configurations so this truly was a universally accept space. Universal design has a close relationship to human work out and ergonomics. As a process they both attempt to consider the abilities and limitations of users when ontogeny a product or building an environment.5 All of the furniture came from the Steelcase, so a select piece could be duplicated in several forms to include with arms/without, adjustable or basic systems that encouraged change as necessary. Using a single manufacturer line allowed for a wide range of set choices to read and flow seamlessly. Within this configuration hefty space is giving f or wheelchair run short ability and integration within a personal or large group interaction. Multiple chair high gear are included for users of all statures and clearance below some of the seating is open to allow the user to push up to the standing smirch with their leg muscles6.A custom feature within the lobby is the answer desk Lehner points out that the receipt area underscores the universal design. A person climax the reception desk in a wheelchair should have the selfsame(prenominal) ability to use it as a person who doesnt have a disability. Thats the premise freighter the entire design-no one uses a back door or side door, and no one uses a ramp. Everybody comes in the same door and uses the same elevators8. Unique to most reception desk, the primary dimension is at a wheel chaired accessible counter visor of (29-30 AFF)9. Based on the maneuver approach to the desk knee and toe space is carefully designed and provide for. The reception desk does to a fault inclu de a microscopical portion at the standard height of 42. Much consideration was giving to the reception side of the desk because this would be the primary and full time user of the millwork. The desk maintains the counter height and electrical outlets are placed at the ends of the counter opposed to crosswise to minimize the need for users to strain to reach across counter span. The employee also is provided with a very accessible approach to their work station and a turning radius within, allowing for a 360 degree wheelchair turning radius.Beyond the reception desk, clever inclusions of universal principles are utilized to assist with user move ability throughout. Two elevators with double entry points allow users to move readily in and out without the need of turning within a small confined space. The elevators are also large decent to support 4 wheelchairs within. Along with the maximization of mobility within the elevator Architect Catilin incorporated carry of the art emer gency use technology for the deaf and head of auditory sense and enlarge elevator buttons placed at a universal accessible height. Each of the fundaments of the Access Living Company, are color coded so users can good identify locality and direction. This color coding process is a wonderful tool to assist the young child to elderly and people with all timers. This would also eliminate the frustrations of getting off the elevator on the wrong floor, like so many of us have done. Once on a floor users, will notice ample floor space as to not to feel constrained by close furniture configurations and for wheelchair passing.The high traffic and areas of egress are ingeniously deigned with a floor border that lines the walls so the opticly impaired can easily utilize this tool to maneuver through the floors. To a user with no sight impairments this simply appears as an aesthetical feature because of how well it unified throughout. This feature is a prime practice of how universal de sign principles do not highlighting the differences of users.ObstaclesIn designing the Access Living headquarter LCM Architects, incurred many obstacles in creating a space that was not only universal, sustainable but also aesthetically and functionally useable. With their primary focus on creating a universal space they quickly learned that what works for one disability doesnt always work for another,10 Lehner says. As a universal designer you must learn to balance the integration of accommodations so they are not swayed by a particular user. Thats nowhere more apparent than in the flooring. LCM discovered through research that carpeting, contrary to popular belief, serves people with MCS by trapping contaminants that would otherwise remain airborne. It also offers traction for people using canes. But carpeting can be difficult to act with a wheelchair, says Catlin11 This is a great lesson to be learned because when people regard a disability they too often only think of wheelcha ir users. aft(prenominal) selecting a fabric that architect Catlin thought would be perfect for all of the users in the space he quickly had to return to the drawing bestride after one employee had an epileptic seizure from the intense signifiering of the flooring. This is one example of the many difficulties faced in this project in designing for the masses, but Catlin remedies this problem by installing a more muted pattern through the building while still ensuring there was still enough contrast on hallway borders to help guide people with visual impairments12.ConclusionAlthough they are a portion of users there are wheel chair bound we must consider and be aware that there are countless impairments that cause all users to have different require and ways in which they utilize a space. Designing a universal space you must have an understanding of that and remember that you are not designing for outlined user but in turn everyone becomes your user. It is often very difficult to create and design a workable solution that all people will deem user friendly, which is why architects and designers look to steam away from this principle. Catlin illustrates that not only can design be an aesthetically pleasing universal space but green principle can also be an applied in a promising way.Works CitedAccess Living. Ed. Geekpak. Acess Living, 2008. Web. 14 Oct. 2009.Boniface, Russell. Paralyzed Veterans of America Honors Chicago-based Access Living for loving Design. The News of Americans Community of Architects. AIArchitect, 17 Aug. 2007. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. .Dong, Hua. Shifting Paradigms in Universal Design. Vol. 4554/2007. Heidelberg Springer, 2007. Print.Goldsmith, Selwyn. Universal Design. Maine Architectural, 2001. Print.Meyers, Tiffany. cosmopolitan DESIGN IN ACCESS sustainment HQ. city Magazine Oct. 2007. Metropolis Magazine, Sept. 09. Web. 23 Oct. 2009. .Tandem, Byan, ed. Home Design mind Universal Design. AARP (2008). AARP. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. .Goldsm ith, Selwyn. Universal Design. Maine Architectural, 2001. Print.GoldsmithAccess Living. Ed. Geekpak. Access Living, 2008. Web. 14 Oct. 2009.Access LivingDong, Hua. Shifting Paradigms in Universal Design. Vol. 4554/2007. Heidelberg Springer, 2007. Print.Access LivingAccess LivingBoniface, Russell. Paralyzed Veterans of America Honors Chicago-based Access Living for Accessible Design. The News of Americans Community of Architects. AIArchitect, 17 Aug. 2007. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. .Access LivingMeyers, Tiffany. UNIVERSAL DESIGN IN ACCESS LIVING HQ. Metropolis Magazine Oct. 2007. Metropolis Magazine, Sept. 09. Web. 23 Oct. 2009. .MeyersMeyers