Marta Bordas Eddy Universal Accessibility On the need of an empathy-based architecture Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Science in Technology to be presented with due permission for public examination and criticism in Rakennustalo Building, Auditorium 202, at Tampere University of Technology, on the 10th of February 2017, at 13h. Accessibilitat Universal Sobre la necessitat d’una arquitectura basada en l’empatia Tesi per optar al grau de doctor per la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Barcelona-Tech Departament de Teoria i Història de l’Arquitectura i Tècniques de Comunicació Programa de doctorat de Teoria i Història de l’Arquitectura Tampere University of Technology. School of Architecture. Housing Design Tampere 2017 Supervisors Markku Hedman, Professor, Architect School of Architecture, Tampere University of Technology (TUT) | Tampere, Finland Miguel Usandizaga, Professor, Architect, D.Arch. Department of Theory & History of Architecture and Technical Communication, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) | Barcelona, Spain Pre-examiners Kaj Nyman, Professor emeritus, Architect, Ph.D. Savonlinna, Finland Elías Torres Tur, Professor, Architect, D.Arch. Barcelona, Spain Opponent Susanne Jacobson, Design researcher, D.Arts Helsinki, Finland Tampereen teknillinen yliopisto. Arkkitehtuurin laitos. Asuntosuunnittelu. Julkaisu 26 Tampere University of Technology. School of Architecture. Housing Design. Publication 26 ISBN 978-952-15-3873-5 ISSN 2242-4598 I’m grateful to my supervisors for their constant support during this long doctoral journey, and my pre-examiners for reminding me the essence of the journey. To my family and close friends, thank you for being there, always. I am a better person because of you. This book is dedicated to all who have ever felt different due to their surroundings. I hope it brings some light. Marta Bordas Eddy Universal Accessibility: On the need of an emptahy-based architecture Resum Accessibilitat Universal: Sobre la necessitat d’una arquitectura basada en l’empatia és una tesi doctoral centrada en el paradigma del disseny arquitectònic accessible. Partint de la primera comprensió de l’accessibilitat en l’arquitectura, s’analitza l’evolució del concepte des de les últimes dècades fns a l’actualitat, per tal d’avaluar el seu signifcat actual. La hipòtesi és que totes les teories vigents que avaluen i defneixen l’accessibilitat en l’arquitectura no estan correctament enfocades i/o no estan sufcientment vinculades a la pràctica professional, ja que el postulat principal d’aquesta investigació és que la qualitat dels entorns construïts és pobre en matèria d’accessibilitat. Resulta necessari evolucionar de l’actual punt de vista simplista de l’accessibilitat entesa com a entorn sense barreres arquitectòniques, cap a un enfocament més inclusiu. Cal entendre que l’accessibilitat abasta necessitats existencials superiors tals com l’amenitat i la identitat. És a dir, cal que tinguem en consideració com percebem i experimentem l’entorn construït. Això resulta crucial per al benestar psicològic de tota persona. Per a tothom resulta important el sentiment de pertinença, el sentir que formem part de, i no que estem apartats de la societat i del nostre entorn; per a tots resulta indispensable la sensació de normalitat. És per aquest motiu que la premissa d’aquesta tesi defensa que és necessari un enfocament empàtic cap el disseny d’entorns accessibles. L’empatia és essencial per tal de satisfer aquelles necessitats ‘suprafuncionals’, aquells aspectes socials, emocionals, espirituals i culturals que són rellevants per a tots nosaltres de la mateixa forma. Aquí rau el veritable plaer, el sentiment de benestar i la percepció d’una bona vida. L’empatia és la clau i el punt de partida per derrotar el ‘disseny per al discapacitat’ i per a l’èxit d’una arquitectura inclusiva. Si ho aconseguim, estarem front dissenys duradors que són capaços d’assumir, d’una manera saludable, les diverses necessitats que sorgeixen al llarg d’una vida. És a dir, dissenys sostenibles que proporcionen qualitat de vida. Si ho aconseguim, certes conductes predeterminades i prejudicis vers persones amb discapacitat seran a la vegada enderrocats. En resum, aquesta tesi és una refexió general sobre el paradigma de l’arquitectura accessible, observat des de diversos punts de vista, i arribant a unes conclusions fnals. Per tant, aquesta tesi no tracta tant de donar instruccions sobre com construir de forma accessible, sinó que més aviat refexiona sobre el per què és necessari Aquesta dissertació pretén canviar actituds respecte a l’accessibilitat, de manera que sigui veritablement integrada dins del disseny arquitectònic. El resultat serà una arquitectura per a tothom en la que la sostenibilitat i la justícia social quedarà assegurada. Paraules clau: accessibilitat universal, empatia, simulació de discapacitats, accessibilitat desapercebuda, disseny capacitant. Marta Bordas Eddy Universal Accessibility: On the need of an emptahy-based architecture Abstract Universal Accessibility: On the need of an empathy-based architecture is a PhD thesis researching the paradigm of accessible architectural design. Starting from the very frst understanding of accessibility in architecture, it analyses the evolution of the concept over recent decades up to the present, in order to evaluate its current signifcance. The assumption of this dissertation is that all current theories concerning accessibility in architecture are not properly approached and/or they are poorly linked to architectural practice, since the main postulate of this thesis is that the quality of built environments is poor in respect to accessibility. Therefore, this thesis aims to point out the main problems that accessible designs face nowadays and, more importantly, to rationalize why this situation must be reversed while also exploring the tools for doing this. Keywords: universal accessibility, empathy, disabilities simulation, unnoticed accessibility, enabling design. i Marta Bordas Eddy Universal Accessibility: On the need of an emptahy-based architecture Preface Accessibility standards were defned decades ago and are continuously being updated to more precise and restrictive regulations, aiming at higher compliance for fully accessible—thus, non-discriminating— designs. Hence, we cannot deny the existence of abundant literature concerning how to design accessible built environments. Nevertheless, the fact is that the quality of designs in respect to accessibility is doubtful on many occasions. The regulations give plenty of instructions on how to design the built environment to be ‘wheelchair friendly’ and have also recently introduced tools for being ‘blind friendly’, but they have not adopted a ‘design for all’ understanding. At least, not in a way that is holistically inclusive. Many current accessible designs are not designs meant for all, but just mere differentiated ‘designs for the disabled’ that do not form a part of the whole ‘normal’ environment. Consequently, non-disabled people rarely use them, even when they are more practical, because they do not identify themselves with such segregated ‘designs for the disabled’. We must be aware that architecture is the refection of society’s customs and needs. To some extent, the role of the architect is to design what cities and buildings look like, which directly or indirectly infuences how we inhabit them. Thus, it is essential to consider that every project decision determines some results that are gradually transformed into society’s habits. Therefore, a lack of precision in design can provoke a mistaken social awareness of the capabilities of some people, which ends up in discrimination. Architects must be able to understand society as a whole, which is made up of diverse people with differing abilities, all with the same rights to enjoy equally the quality of the built environment. What is more, if accessibility evolves from a simplistic view of barrier-free environments towards a more inclusive approach, some standardized behaviours and prejudices will be defeated. Accessibility, as it should be understood, must also comprehend higher existential needs such as pleasantness and identity; that is, it must take into consideration how we do perceive and experience the built environment. This is crucial for the psychological wellbeing of the users. We all need belonging, to feel part of and not separated from society and our environment; we need a sense of normality. In such a scenario of holistically inclusive built environments, the result will also be higher sustainable designs; because, on the one hand, the durability of design will be ensured thanks to the introduction of accessibility parameters that forecast possible future needs that stem from ageing, for instance. Furthermore, if on the other hand accessible designs have been approached by truly considering supra-functional needs, emotional durability will also be ensured, since people will be keen to use them over the long-term. ii Marta Bordas Eddy Universal Accessibility The premise of this dissertation is that an empathic approach is necessary for designing an accessible built environment that goes beyond the regular barrier-free requirements, beyond functionality and usability concerns. Empathy is essential to satisfy the ‘supra-functional needs’, those social, emotional, spiritual, aspirational and cultural aspects that are relevant to all of us equally. Herein lies the real pleasure, the sense of wellbeing and perception of a good life. Empathy is the