The Concept of Universal Design and Sustainability
Universal Design (UD) can be defined as designing the environment and the products that could be used by all people to their maximum extent without future need for adaptations or specialisation with an aim to benefit individuals of all ages and capabilities, further contributing to sustainability.
Sustainability is concerned largely with terms of environmental impact and performance of buildings, rather than people, even though it is undeniable that people are the ultimate users of energy rather than the buildings themselves.
Until now, sustainability and inclusiveness have been treated as two different aspects of the built environment. The term design across different fields like architecture, product design, and urban planning is fragmented. Often missed in the planning process, the key design aspects are vaguely put light on. Although a few design fields follow standards for safety, fire protection, and land use, the integration of sustainability and accessibility has yet to set a concrete path.
Green Buildings and Principles of Universal Design
The concept of Green Building (GB) sheds light on the efficient use of resources such as energy, water, and materials, so as to reduce the negative impacts of construction on human health and the environment by adopting appropriate methods related to construction, operation, maintenance, and finally disassembly. The fundamental function of green buildings is to minimise the negative impacts caused by the building on its occupants and the environment as a whole.
The concepts of Green Building and Universal Design both aim towards achieving sustainability in the built environment in general.
With the help of carefully selected architects, designers, engineers, and environmentalists, the Center of Universal Design (CUD) has defined seven distinct ‘Principles of Universal Design’. These seven principles mention the necessary criteria for achieving Universal Design in the Built Environment. It must be noticed that Universal Design with its focus on ‘design for all’ has no environmental sustainability integrated into its principles.
- Equitable Use: The design should be useful to people with diverse abilities.
- Flexibility in use: A wide range of individual capabilities should be incorporated.
- Simple and Intuitive: The design should be independent of the user’s experience, knowledge, and linguistic skills. The design should be easily understandable by all.
- Perceptible Information: Effective communication through design to the user
- Tolerance for Error: Minimization of hazards through design and no adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
- Low Physical Effort: The design shouldn’t cause unnecessary fatigue, it should be comfortable and well-organised.
- Size and Space for Approach and Use: Consideration should be provided for specific ergonomic standards for sizing and spacing to suit different capabilities.
Integration of Green Building Practices with Universal Design
The buildings are too frequently designed for the ‘average’ person with ‘average’ physical ability. One shouldn’t assume that people will be available in a given set of standard sizes and physical and mental abilities. People are often facing a variety of experiences throughout their lives. Good design comes with considering all users from the start, ensuring the outcome is thoughtful, inclusive, and engaging, rather than adding functions as an afterthought.
Green buildings provide significant benefits such as lesser operating costs, improved health and productivity, higher market value, and positive environmental externalities. The purpose of green building is not only aimed at decreasing environmental and economic consequences but also to provide significant improvement to human health and well-being.
The practices of green building that can be integrated with universal design should consider the following approaches:
- Shape and Orientation of Buildings: The buildings are to be oriented so that there is maximum exposure to natural sunlight and wind, reducing the need for artificial lighting and ventilation. Strategic placement of entrances and exits should be taken into consideration. Examples include: Zero-step entrances, Provision of Wheelchair-accessible doorways and bathrooms, Wider hallways and doorframes
- Building Envelope: Heat transfer across the building envelope (walls, windows, internal walls, and roofs) is to be taken into consideration. Energy-efficient windows and doors that are easy to operate should be used. Proper insulation to improve temperature control
- Solar Panel: Solar panels and solar-powered appliances
- Cool Roof: Reflect heat and sunlight away from the structure. keeping rooms at a consistent temperature
- Efficient Lighting Systems: Climate control and light switches that are reachable from a wheelchair
- Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial intelligence (AI): Application of Building Automation Control System, monitoring energy and water usage using AI. Sustainable HVAC System with AI control
- Alternative Materials: Eco-friendly building materials, such as stone, cob, bamboo, cork, adobe brick, or straw bale. Use of non-toxic materials.
Example Case Study: The Ed Roberts Campus, Berkeley, California, USA
The Ed Roberts Campus, ERC is a universally designed, transit-oriented campus located at the Ashby BART Station in Berkeley, California. The project spans an area of 80,000 sq. ft. incorporating exhibition space, community meeting rooms, a child development centre, a fitness centre, offices for non–profit organisations, and vocational training facilities. The building is a live example of integration between universal design and environmentally sustainable development.
With a focus on design for all, it caters to several criteria providing integration of design solutions and sustainability. Taking into consideration multiple user sensitivities, air quality, ventilation, construction materials, and landscaping, the following steps have been taken to ensure an accessible and green educational setting.
Considerations for Universal Design
- Clear building organisation, entries, and circulation to support wayfinding and leave room for error.
- Access to the transit concourse below street level facilitated by a new public elevator
- A variety of public transit alternatives with coordinated access.
- Access to the second floor through a 56-ft diameter dramatic helical ramp.
- 7-ft. wide corridors for comfortable circulation for wheelchair riders and others
- Specialised controls for wheelchair riders are provided within oversized elevators
- Specialised access for vehicles and accessible parking spaces
- Restrooms are designed to meet a range of individual abilities
- Hand-free access on automatic doors with long-range card readers
- Occupancy-sensor-controlled lighting.
- Simple wayfinding, including coloured and textured flooring, signage with specially designed fonts, high-contrast interior finishes, and acoustical landmarks.
- Low-pattern floor finishing and low-frequency fire alarm lights to aid users with Photosensitive Epilepsy.
- Durable, low-maintenance finishes to resist the impact of the wheelchair.
- Braille building maps upon request.
- Innovative acoustical design for individuals with hearing disabilities.
- Enhanced indoor air quality, including natural ventilation, non-toxic materials, and filtered outside air.
- Advanced digital and communications technologies meet a range of individual abilities.
Considerations for Sustainability
- Solar control and daylighting in all spaces to reduce heat and lighting loads.
- Operable windows and natural ventilation.
- Use of reflective roofing to reduce heat gain and heat island effect
- Energy-efficient mechanical systems, including high-efficiency heat pumps for heating and cooling and in-slab hydronic radiant space conditioning in common areas.
- Occupancy and time controls integrated energy-efficient lighting
- Energy Efficiency parameters as described by the country’s law are exceeded by 14%
- The use of natural ventilation, non-toxic materials, and filtered air from outside has contributed to enhancing indoor air quality. The Indoor Air Quality program has been introduced in the construction phase.
- Construction waste of over 80% recycled
- Recycled, sustainably harvested, and renewable materials.
References:
Awaad, A. et al. (2023) How can you make a green building accessible to all users? How to Make a Green Building Accessible to All Users. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-make-green-building-accessible-all-users (Accessed: 11 August 2024).
Evans, G. (2018) ‘Inclusive and sustainable design in the built environment: Regulation or human-centred?’, Built Environment, 44(1), pp. 105–119. doi:10.2148/benv.44.1.105.
Jennissen, P. by A. (no date) Building and designing eco-friendly homes for people with disabilities, EEBA. Available at: https://www.eeba.org/building-and-designing-eco-friendly-homes-for-people-with-disabilities (Accessed: 11 August 2024).
Kadir, S.A. and Jamaludin, M. (2013) ‘Universal design as a significant component for sustainable life and Social Development’, Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 85, pp. 179–190. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.08.349.
Sapuan, N.M. et al. (2022) ‘Green building best practices in achieving energy and Environmental Sustainability’, Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, 11(4), p. 74. doi:10.5296/emsd.v11i4.21052.
Universal design Ed Roberts Campus (no date) Ed Roberts Campus. Available at: https://www.edrobertscampus.org/design/ (Accessed: 11 August 2024).
Yiing, C.F., Yaacob, N.M. and Hussein, H. (2013) ‘Achieving Sustainable Development: Accessibility of Green Buildings in Malaysia’, Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 101, pp. 120–129. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.07.185.
