7,000,000,000 HUMAN BEINGS

CAN’T BE WRONG

DESIGNING FOR HUMAN DIVERSITY “Ion Mincu”

Prof. Josh Safdie, Director of IHCDstudio University of Architecture and Urbanism
Institute for Human Centered Design Bucharest, Romania
Boston, MA, USA 18 March 2013
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40257
Parc de la Villette, Paris, France Smith House, Darien, Connecticut, USA
Bernard Tschumi, 1982-98 Richard Meier, 1965-67
“Ice Cube”, hip-hop artist, born 1969 “Rubik’s Cube”, game of skill, patented 1977
 Institute for Human Centered Design
an international, educational, non-profit organization
dedicated to enhancing the experiences of people of all ages and
abilities through excellence in design.

www.humancentereddesign.org
 Institute for Human Centered Design
 The first U.S. NGO focused on design and disability
 Balanced guidance on legal compliance & promotion of best
practices
 Urban design & architecture to information design
 Local and international projects & partners
 Host or co-host of 5 international conferences on Universal
Design since 1998

www.humancentereddesign.org
 Technical Assistance
A project of the
US Department of Education
providing information, guidance
and training regarding
the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A project of the
US Department of Housing and
Urban Development
providing information and
technical assistance regarding
the Fair Housing Act
design and construction
requirements.
Publications

 Technical publications on legal

state and federal accessibility
laws
 Self-publishing one book a year
Universal Design Case Studies
 IHCDstore

 Well-designed products that

look as good as they function.
 Focus on socially- and
environmentally-responsible
products & technologies not
readily available elsewhere.
 Open to the public and on-line
www.ihcdstore.org
Canes by Omhu, New York, NY
 Inclusive Sports Initiative

 Research and advocacy

 Educational awareness trainings
 #onemovement social media
campaign
 #HOWCOOLISTHAT video
competition

photo courtesy of United Nations Office on Sport

for Development and Peace
Access to Design Professions

 Introduces youth with

disabilities to careers in design
 Proposes disability as an integral
aspect of social diversity
 Operates projects with
professional organizations
(American Institute of
Architects) as well as colleges &
universities
 User/Expert Lab
Assessment, User Research, and
Design for:
 Places
 Products
 Information & Communication
Technology (ICT)
 Services
 Policies & Procedures
People at the edges of the spectrum of ability are
especially attuned to knowing when design fails, and
also to what works.
 IHCDstudio
 Accessibility & Universal Design
audits
 Site & plan review
 ADA/UD sub-consulting
 Collaborative design
 Full-service architectural design
 Specification review & writing
Renovations to the Boston Architectural College
photo by Bonica Ayala
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40257
Physical Sensory Brain-based
Mobility Sight Learning
Dexterity Hearing Developmental
Strength Speech Mental Health
Stamina Touch Cognitive
 ARTHRITIS
BACK PROBLEMS
HEART DISEASE
RESPIRATORY DISEASE
DIABETES
“We fret in Europe these days that there are too many old people and not
enough young people. That’s why the Government wants later retirement.
But this is going to become a global phenomenon. We have never lived in a
world where most people are old. We soon will.

I don’t think we are doomed by ageing, but I do think our world will be
profoundly changed.

The 20th Century was the era of the young. It was a century of economic
good times, soaring population, industrialisation, baby-boomers and rampant
consumption. The 21st Century will be the era of the old; of low growth in
population and economies.

It may be duller, but I like to think it might be wiser, too, with the tribal elders
taking centre stage. It could be our salvation.”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2055188/Seven-billion-day-Why-soon-fretting-population-world-shrinking.html
courtesy of Trace R&D Center, University of Wisconsin
courtesy of Trace R&D Center, University of Wisconsin
courtesy of Trace R&D Center, University of Wisconsin
courtesy of Trace R&D Center, University of Wisconsin
courtesy of Trace R&D Center, University of Wisconsin
courtesy of Trace R&D Center, University of Wisconsin
courtesy of Trace R&D Center, University of Wisconsin
courtesy of Trace R&D Center, University of Wisconsin
2002 Madrid International
Plan of Action on Aging

Priority Direction I:
Older persons and development

Priority Direction II:

Advancing health and well being
into old age

Priority Direction III:

Ensuring enabling and supportive
environments
2008 Convention on the Human Rights
of People with Disabilities

Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy,

and independence of persons
Non-discrimination
Full and effective participation and inclusion in
society
Respect for difference and acceptance of persons
with disabilities as part of human diversity
Equality of opportunity
Accessibility
Equality between men and women
Respect for the evolving capacities of children with
disabilities and respect for the right of children
with disabilities to preserve their identities
2001 International Classification of
Functioning, Disability and Health

“Mainstreamed” the experience

of disability and recognized it as
a universal human experience

Equalized mental and physical reasons

for disability

Redefined disability as a
contextual phenomenon,
dictated by the intersection of a person
and his/her environment
 Universal Design
“…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.”

- Ronald L. Mace, FAIA

 Universal Design is not…
…Accessible Design.

“Accessible Design” is governed by legal mandates that are

limited to specific types of places, set only minimum standards,
and focus only on specific users – especially people who use
wheelchairs.

Universal Design is an attitude about design, which capitalizes

on an evolving knowledge base of best practices rather than
fixed standards.
 Universal Design is…
…a framework for design.

Universal Design proposes an approach to the design of

places, things, information, communication, and policy:

 that focuses on the user

 that serves the widest range of people, operating in
the widest range of situations, without special or
separate design…
 that anticipates and celebrates the diversity of
human age, culture, and ability
 courtesy of Susan Ruptash, Quadrangle Architects, Toronto, Canada

Sensory clues
 courtesy of Alan Dunlop, FRIAS, FRSA, Glasgow, Scotland

Sensory clues
 courtesy of Susan Ruptash, Quadrangle Architects, Toronto, Canada

Sensory clues
 Universal Design Principles
• Equitable Use.
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

• Flexibility in Use.
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

• Simple, Intuitive Use.

Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience,
knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

• Perceptible Information.
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user,
regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.

© 1997 North Carolina State University, The Ronald L. Mace

Center for Universal Design
 Universal Design Principles
• Tolerance of Error.
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental
or unintended actions.

• Low Physical Effort.

The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of
fatigue.

• Size and Space for Approach & Use.

Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation,
and use, regardless of the user’s body size, posture, or mobility.

© 1997 North Carolina State University, The Ronald L. Mace

Center for Universal Design
Light rail system, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Light rail system, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Bus stop, Tokyo, Japan
Centre City, London, England
River walk, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sensory Park, Singapore
Sensory Park, Singapore
Access Living, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Maggie’s Centre, London, England
Maggie’s Centre, London, England
Private Residence, Gstaad, Switzerland
Private Residence, Gstaad, Switzerland
Private Residence, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Public Toilets, Tokyo, Japan
Plaza Apartments, San Francisco, California, USA
Case Study:
Hazelwood School
Gordon Murray + Alan Dunlop,
Architects
Glasgow, Scotland
Plan
Stepping stones
Exploration of colour as a visual cue
Exploration of colour as a visual cue
Case Study:
Ed Roberts Campus
Leddy, Maytum, Stacy Architects
Berkeley, California, USA
 Physical Environment -
Exterior
• Transit-oriented
• Zoned curb drop off
• Accessible bus stop
• Intuitive plaza design
• In-pavement way-finding
• Automatic entry doors
 Physical Environment –
Interior
• Generous Lobby
• Large two-sided elevators
• Helical ramp used by all
• Simple loop circulation
• Accessible safety features
• Flexible space / flexible pace
• 7 ft. wide corridors
 Acoustic Environment

• Reduced background noise

• Sound-absorptive materials
• Non-parallel surfaces
• Acoustical orientation
Current Projects:
User-Expert Reviews
Alpha Hotel
Central House of Artists
Moscow, Russia
Current Projects:
Spaulding Rehab
Hospital
Partners Healthcare
Charlestown, Massachusetts
 PARKING GARAGE MULTI-ACTIVITY PLAZA
ENTRY
BUS STOP

THERAPY
GARDEN

MAIN ENTRY DINING ENVIRONMENTAL

PLAZA PLAZA
Current Projects:
Casa “Mihail”
Habitat for Humanity Romania
Open Society Institute
Mihailesti, Romania
 Visual Environment

• Daylighting control
• Occupancy sensor controls
• Abundant daylight
• Contrasting colors & textures
Whitney Museum of American Art
945 Madison Avenue, New York City