“Universal Design: 17 ways of thinking and teaching”

1. “Universal Design:17 ways of thinking and teaching” 1.4. ‘If anything, call it Ergonomics – in search for a word in a world called science’ Maarten Wijk, Holland

2. Introduction 1996 : Academic chair called ‘Accessibility’ Departement of Architecture of the Delft University of Technology Mission: - to improve accessibility awareness in architectural training - to search for a word in a culture heading for science

3. traditionally neglected issue - recognised by means of an Academic Chair ‘Top design’ - ‘Scientific approach’ teaching: finding the right keyword - ‘Accessibility’ stigmatised Golden Opportunity

4. A Stigma • ‘Accessibility’: a good word ? • Efforts of accessibility are incidental acts of charity • Dutch definition : feature of built facilities which enable peoples to reach and use those facilities = nature of Architecture, not additional quality

5. Architectural Design as a Science • What is science ? capacity to constantly improve the outputs • beginning 20th century: CIAM - nowadays: public buildings: a product of science houses: perform better than old ones??

6. THE BUILDING technical values - technical performance Bugdet - costs Situational values and restrictions - situational consequence Functional values - functional performance Validation Evaluation THE BOX Validation Evaluation

7. Society Organisation Individual Image ۷ ۷ X Use ۷ X ۷ Safety ۷ X ۷ Health X ۷ X Flexibility ۷ X ۷ Functional values

8. A mismatch Exceptional design Kunsthal, Rotterdam Bridge, Balbao Liberary of France, Paris

9. Middle of the road Architecture Schouwburgplein, Rotterdam A typical Dutch ladder A doorbell out of reach AZL Head Office, Heerlen

10. In search of a match - no solved mismatches Architecture isn’t a science - Mismatch between man and environment needs of the people performance of the building

11. Designing for the Disabled • proper input for a good ( scientifically correct) design : design for the Disabled specific needs • no design science

12. Integral approach • people are all diverse: not standard • strategy to combine the special needs of categories universal design benefits for everybody - still a mismatch

13. Ergonomic diversity 1. Designers Only : appearance 2. Traditional Accessibility Promoters : specific needs of groups strategy: dividing human needs into seperate aspects of functioning, search for the proper values to cover the extremes

14. Epilogue “Ergonomics of the build environment” Enables people to function effectively in the enviromnent comfortably safely healthy Recognising the common needs of people individual People are diverse but with common needs