An interdisciplinary heuristic evaluation method for universal building design

1. An interdisciplinary heuristic evaluation method for universal building design Yasemin Afacn (2009) Applied Ergonomics 2009. 05. 27. Wed. Lee, Jee-hea

2. Contents • Introduction • Universal Design • Universal usability in architectural terms • Need for a cost-effective universal usability evaluation • Case Study • Data collection • Procedure • Results • The role of the iterative sequence of heuristic evaluation • The effect of the evaluators’ profession on finding usability problems • Conclusion

3. 1. Introduction • Despite extensive literature on usability engineering, there is little research that emphasizes how usability testing can be employed and measured in an architectural design context. • Although usability testing is the most widely used method “for minimizing mismatches between users and products”, universal design has yet to be integrated into usability test. • Designers should establish clear channels of communication with other professionals. ★Reasons that make it difficult to integrate the UD approach into current design practice ① Theory-practice inconsistency - a lack of UD knowledge by design practitioners ② The designer’s way of thinking - user needs ③ A communication gap between designers and other professionals - interdisciplinary nature of the architectural design process How the application of heuristic evaluation methods by designers from different professions could bridge these gaps and ensure the creation of universally designed built environments.

4. 2. Universal Design • An increased awareness of the U.D. • The number of elderly and disabled people ↑ • The needs and demands of diverse population members (Children, pregnant, adults, the elderly and disabled) ↑ • U.D. aims to design spaces and products for the vast majority of the world that can be used without any adaptation and without stigmatizing the user. • U.D. requires integration of accessibility and usability features from the onset. • Universal Usability : Universal design + Usability

5. 2.1 Universal usability in architectural terms • Universal usability in architectural terms • Making buildings and facilities as universally usable as possible for everyone in the widest range of situations. • No recommendations exist in the architectural design context as to how universal usability can be incorporated and implemented.  most design practitioners cannot take universal usability into account during the initial phases of the design process, which leads to wrong universal design decisions that can have a large impact on the overall design success and cost.  These challenges are a stimulus for a cost-effective universal usability evaluation to build usable environments for all.

6. 2.2 Need for a cost-effective U.U evaluation • The late identification arises from the lack of awareness of the need for multiple experts. • Usability problems • Major • Making structural changes after construction : general layout, circulation systems, columns etc. • Expensive and time consuming • Requires major retrofits. • Minor • Non-structural but user-friendly elements of building : color, finishing materials, furniture etc. • Could be modified in the late phases of the design process. • Being identified as a major or minor problem is closely related to the cost-effectiveness dimension of the defined universal suability.

7. 3. Case study : the application of heuristic evaluation within a shopping mall ★Usability Principles in Design ★Modified list of heuristics Size & space for approach & use Equitable use Low physical effort Flexibility in use ◆ Shopping malls are particularly important for leisure activities in large urban centres, which should ensure that all people are equally welcome and that all visitors can participate in facilities that have no design stigmatization and that enrich their lives and enhance autonomy and flexibility (Resolution ResAP 3, 2001). Tolerance for error Perceptible information Simple & Intuitive

8. 3.1 Data collection • Subject • Five universal design specialists • Two interior architects, two architects, one urban planner • Who took a universal design course during their education • Who worked professionally in various shopping mall projects in practice • Evaluation • Three sessions • Pre-interview / Task scenarios / Post-interview • Five categories

9. 3.2 Procedure ◆ Each session was guided by the first author in order to elicit responses more comprehensively, and later to generate an in-depth discussion. ◆ No time lapses between the sessions.

10. 3.2 Procedure ◆Whether the shopping mall demonstrated the characteristics of a universally designed built environment. ◆ Each five task scenario comprised seven sub-tasks with reference to the seven heuristics. ◆Each sub-task is concerned with the relevant questions of each U.D. principle to judge the conformity of the mall to U.U.

11. 3.2 Procedure _ task scenarios

12. 4. Results_ The role of the iterative sequence of heuristic evaluation • Through iterative sequence, usability problem incrementally increases. • The iterative sequence of heuristic evaluation becomes essential for architectural design projects

13. 4. Results_ The role of the iterative sequence of heuristic evaluation • Solving one of the interrelated usability problem is essential in terms of overall U.D. success, because each problem is closely connected to each other, so that one causes the other. • The overall and simultaneous consideration of the correlated design requirement is needed. Circulation system major minor

14. 4. Results_The effect of the evaluator’s profession on finding usability problems • There was an effect of the evaluator’s profession on finding usability problems within a built environment. circulation Enter/exit Way-finding Product/ service Public amentities

15. 4. Results_The effect of the evaluator’s profession on finding usability problems • For U.D., The overlap between evaluators of different professions are more important than that of the same profession. • The effect of the interdisciplinary characteristics of the evaluator increased the problem discovery rate. Priority

16. 5. Conclusion • An iterative&interdisciplinary heuristic evaluation process is demonstrated to be an efficient method for evaluating how well the usability of a newly designed shopping mall conforms to universal design. • This study is an initial step for heuristic evaluation in architectural terms to raise awareness for universal usability within built environments.