We can create better places for everyone by learning from each other. – Alyson Steele, President & CEO at Quinn Evans
Even though architecture greatly shapes how every human being explores and experiences the world, the most crucial aspect of accessibility which is essential in all human-space interaction, is frequently overlooked in many designs. Steele’s quote throws light on the essential reality pointing out that an ideal inclusive environment necessitates collaboration, education, and active involvement from individuals who directly encounter challenges. Changing from designing for persons with disabilities to designing alongside them is the heart and soul of achieving inclusive spaces.
“Nothing About Us, Without Us” emphasizes the need for disabled groups to be active participants in creating the built environment. To build environments that empower people, engage many senses, and embrace emerging technologies, architects can go beyond compliance-driven accessibility, as seen in this article.
Beyond Compliance: Rethinking Accessibility Standards
The Ed Roberts Campus, in Berkeley, California, is perhaps the best-known example of a project that transcended mere compliance. Founded by Ed Roberts, a pioneer in disability rights, the campus is home to a meeting point for numerous disability advocacy groups associated with universal design principles. A significant characteristic of this educational campus is its large spiral ramp for both pragmatic and symbolic purposes. The ramp is not an ancillary element of accessibility but instead on the level at which the design of the building revolves, ensuring effortless navigation by all visitors-being all mobile. The ramp additionally marks a safe and exceedingly visible exit for individuals with physical disabilities as a reminder of how this principle is at the center of design interests.
In addition to mobility, it must be noted that the center encompasses multi-sensory accessibility. Signs inside the building are in print and Braille, thus any vital message is adequately communicated to all users. The central fountain becomes a point of reference for visually challenged people, facilitating orientation while moving through the space. The campus also provides automatic doors and elevators, easing mobility for ambulant persons. There are elevator buttons placed on the floors at various levels in the building making it easy for people with varying needs to commute vertically inside the built envelope.
Mindful of the importance of accessible transportation, the Ed Roberts Campus design ensured direct transport access by connecting the campus to the BART station. By involving people with disabilities in the design process, the Ed Roberts Campus shows how architecture can transcend mere compliance and design places that are not only functional but also welcoming, empowering, and truly inclusive.
Innovative Methods for Inclusive Design
In the past, architects had no way to truly understand the experiences of people with disabilities. As Charles Krauthammer observed, ‘For those in wheelchairs, having an everyone-else experience in a public building is a rare thing indeed.’ But today, technology has transformed this reality. Architects can now examine spaces from the perspective of accessibility before the actual construction, AR and VR technologies have redefined the landscape of accessible design. In short, these technologies allow architects to “walk a mile” in someone else’s shoes, thereby spotting potential bumps in the road early in the game.
AR and VR have the advantage of real-time testing, enabling architects to simulate the movement of wheelchair users, assess the navigation and mobility of the visually impaired, and test out sensory issues that neurodivergent users might encounter. These tools allow for user participation and real input from people with disabilities during the design process, and rapid iteration encourages architects to refine and modify plans almost on the fly, testing each version for increased accessibility.
Out of all of these, one such general tutorial includes Gensler’s Inclusive Design Lab, in which VR simulations are used to analyze how people with mobility impairments, sensory sensitivities, or cognitive challenges interact within spaces. Gensler effectively integrates real-time user feedback into their design process to ensure seamless accessibility of their designs. Their VR-grounded research is yielding improvements in light contrast, acoustics, and intuitive wayfinding systems, which in turn make spaces much more navigable and inclusive for all users.
The Future of Accessible Architecture
Nevertheless, accessibility alone does not ensure theorization; more awareness, more momentum in this direction, would define true inclusivity. Architecture must move beyond compliance by embracing co-design, where architects actively collaborate with disabled communities, valuing their lived experiences. Education is at the crux of such efforts, and the schools of architecture must support their disabled aspiring architects and keep accessibility at their curriculum core. Beyond academia, the role of institutions, professional organizations, and urban policies is crucial in shaping a built environment that prioritizes inclusivity at every stage of design and construction. With emerging technologies, sensory-inclusive design, and adaptive architecture, the potential for innovation is immense, paving the way for truly inclusive and human-centered built environments.
As we move forward, architects and designers must ask themselves: Are we designing for inclusivity as a necessity, or are we truly shaping a world where everyone belongs?
Citations for Websites
- Quinnevans.com. (2023). Making Existing Buildings Inclusive for All. [online] Available at: https://www.quinnevans.com/news/making-existing-buildings-inclusive-for-all. [Accessed 15 Feb. 2025].
- Ed Roberts Campus. (n.d.). Universal Design Ed Roberts Campus. [online] Available at: https://www.edrobertscampus.org/design/. [Accessed 16 Feb. 2025].
- www.zgf.com. (n.d.). Karen Braitmayer Shares Why Accessible Design is a Social Justice Issue | ZGF Architects. [online] Available at: https://www.zgf.com/ideas/4337-karen-braitmayer-shares-why-accessible-design-is-a-social-justice-issue. [Accessed 28 Feb. 2025].
- Lmsarch.com. (2025). Ed Roberts Campus | LMS. [online] Available at: https://lmsarch.com/projects/ed-roberts-campus/ [Accessed 28 Feb. 2025].
