ARCHITECTURE WITHOUT BARRIERS: Designing Inclusive Environments Accessible to All by Hong-Li Wong Interior Design, Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, 2006 Bachelor of Architectural Science, Ryerson University, 2011 A design thesis presented to Ryerson University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the program and degree of Master of Architecture Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2014 © Hong-Li Wong 2014 i ii AUTHOR'S DECLARATION I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I authorize Ryerson University to lend this thesis to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorize Ryerson University to reproduce this thesis by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. Hong-Li Wong iii iv ARCHITECTURE WITHOUT BARRIERS: Designing Inclusive Environments Accessible to All By Hong-Li Wong Master of Architecture Program, Ryerson University, Toronto Master of Architecture Degree, 2014 In Canada, studies show there are changing demographics increasing the population, the disability rate, and the aging population. This significantly impacts people and their interactions within the built environment. Currently, there are many buildings meeting minimum accessibility standards, though they continuously create poorly designed and inaccessible buildings to all. Thus, integrating Inclusive Design (ID) allows for full participation within society. This prevents discrimination and stigmatization. ID is an intervention respecting differences, associated with gender, race, religion, as well as age and ability, by accommodating diverse needs of various groups of people. This approach incorporates three design strategies, including visual, non- visual, and social aspects enhancing the concept of ID. They are accessible experience while traversing in architecture as communication, responsive and adaptable environment through multi-sensory experience, and secure architecture for social interaction. As a result, an inclusive environment is created addressing equity and equality, which benefit everyone enhancing self- dignity, independence, and well-being. KEYWORDS: Inclusive Design (ID), barriers, built environment, accessible, usable, accommodate, diverse needs, experience, quality of life v vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Author (left), uncle Akung (centre), and older brother (right) I would like to acknowledge this dissertation to Paul Floerke for helping me with my thesis as my supervisor, Miljana Horvat as my very encouraging second reader, my mother and father for all their love and support, my friends for keeping me grounded and sane, and my uncle, Akung Wong, who has Down syndrome. Although he is different, I have memories from a young age of him playing with me, my siblings, and my cousins, like any other uncle. He is caring towards us and we respect him like an elder. Today, he is living in a communal Down syndrome facility in the Netherlands. He is currently 45 years old but has the body of a senior. His body is deteriorating and my family believes he may pass away before my grandparents. My uncle, Akung, led me to my thesis topic as I began to question the many issues related to architecture for people with physical and mental disabilities within Canada. Are these individuals being properly accommodated? What issues are affecting their overall quality of life and can these be improved through architecture? vii viii DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this to my parents for their unconditional love and always believing in me, Peter Turner from Turner Fleischer Architects Inc. for supporting me, and Kelvin Lau for always being there for me during thesis crunch time. ix x TABLE OF CONTENTS Author's Declaration ............................................................................................................... iii Abstract ................................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. vii Dedication ............................................................................................................................... ix Table of Contents .................................................................................................................... xi List of Figures ......................................................................................................................... xv 1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Thesis Statement ............................................................................................. 4 1.2 Background ..................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Target User Groups ......................................................................................... 10 2.0 DESIGN WITHOUT BARRIERS ........................................................................... 11 2.1 Design for Equality and Equity ....................................................................... 11 2.2 Access(IBILITY DESIGN) ............................................................................. 13 2.3 Universal Design ............................................................................................. 17 2.4 Inclusive Design .............................................................................................. 19 2.4.1 Designers for ID .............................................................................................. 20 2.4.2 Usable by All ................................................................................................... 21 2.4.3 Appealing to All .............................................................................................. 23 xi 2.4.4 Collaborating with Users ................................................................................. 25 2.4.5 ID Without Barriers ......................................................................................... 26 2.4.6 Principles of ID ............................................................................................... 27 3.0 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK .......................................................................... 29 3.1 Accessible Architecture as Communication ................................................... 30 3.1.1 Communication Within Architecture .............................................................. 31 3.1.2 Accessible Experience While Traversing in Architecture Design .................. 35 3.1.3 Integrate Communication Systems .................................................................. 37 3.2 Responsive and Adaptable Architecture Through Multi-Sensory Experience 40 3.2.1 Integrate Non-Visual Information for Wayfinding ......................................... 42 3.2.2 Soundscape Sensory ........................................................................................ 45 3.2.3 Illumination Within an Inclusive Environment ............................................... 47 3.2.4 Perception of Colour ....................................................................................... 52 3.2.5 Specify Materials and Finishes ....................................................................... 55 3.3 Secure Architecture for Social Interaction ...................................................... 57 3.3.1 Maintain Visual Connection ............................................................................ 58 3.3.2 Integrate Circulation Spaces as Social Places ................................................. 60 3.3.3 Social Places Define Human Behavior for Social Engagement ...................... 62 xii 4.0 CASE STUDIES ........................................................................................................ 63 4.1 The Warehouse ................................................................................................ 64 4.2 Hazelwood School for the Multiple Sensory Impaired .................................. 69 4.3 Fontys Sports College ..................................................................................... 75 5.0 DESIGN PROPOSAL ............................................................................................... 78 5.1 Site ................................................................................................................... 79 5.2 Key Issues ....................................................................................................... 83 5.3 Scope of the Design ......................................................................................... 87 5.4 Design Concept .............................................................................................. 88 5.5 Strategies Implementing Three Design Interventions ..................................... 93 5.5.1 Accessible Architecture as Communication ................................................... 93 5.5.2 Responsive & Adaptable Architecture Through Multi-Sensory Experience .. 97 5.5.3 Secure Architecture for Social Interaction ...................................................... 109 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................