UNIVERSA

L DESIGN :

A
GROWING
TREND
WHEN This home in Sonoma, CA was
designed and built by Connect Homes.
COMMON PERCEPTION OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN
PURPOSE GROUP
 UNIVERSAL DESIGN : WHAT IS?

7 PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Principle 1: Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

Principle 2: Flexibility in Use

The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences
and abilities.

Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use

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

Principle 4: Perceptible Information

The design communicates necessary information effectively to the
user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory
abilities.

Principle 5: Tolerance for Error

Universal Design is the design The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of
and composition of an accidental or unintended actions.

environment so that it can be Principle 6: Low Physical Effort

accessed, understood and The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a
minimum of fatigue.
used to the greatest extent
possible by all people Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
regardless of their age, size, Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach,
manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or
ability or disability. mobility.
 UNIVERSAL DESIGN : WHY IS IT A GROWING
TREND?

E X A M P L E : H O U S E A T C H I E M S E E, G E R M A N Y
House for people at any stage
of life and ability – single,
married, with children, living
with elderly, periods of
temporary illness etc…

People want to stay put and

grow older in the house they
are living in Client: Family with a paraplegic
member
Architect: Wesenfelt Hofer Architekten
Planning and realisation : 2002 - 2004
 E X A M P L E : H O U S E A T C H I E M S E E, G E R M A N Y
ENTRANCE
Principle 1: Equitable Use

RAMP
Principle 2: Flexibility
in Use
Principle 5: Tolerance for
Error
TOILET & HALLWAY
Principle 7: Size and Space
for Approach and Use

ELEVATOR
Principle 6: Low Physical
Effort

OVERALL LAYOUT
Principle 3: Simple and
Intuitive Use
Principle 4: Perceptible
Information
 E X A M P L E : H O U S E A T C H I E M S E E, G E R M A N Y
TOILET & HALLWAY
Principle 7: Size and Space
for Approach and Use

RAMP
Principle 2: Flexibility
in Use
Principle 5: Tolerance for
Error

LIVING HALL
Principle 1: Equitable Use

Principle 2: Flexibility in Use

Principle 3: Simple and
Intuitive Use

Principle 4: Perceptible
Information
Principle 6: Low Physical
Effort
E X A M P L E : H O U S E A T C H I E M S E E, G E R M A N Y
E X A M P L E : H O U S E A T C H I E M S E E, G E R M A N Y
THE END