Measuring the design of empathetic buildings: a review of universal design evaluation methods
Citation:
E C O Shea, S Pavia, M Dyer, G Craddock, N Murphy, Measuring the design of empathetic buildings: a review of universal design evaluation methods, Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology, 11, 1, 2016, 13 - 21Download Item:
Abstract:
Purpose: Universal design (UD) provides an explanation of good design based on the user
perspective, which are outlined through its principles, goals, and related frameworks. The aim
of this paper is to provide an overview of the frameworks and methods for UD building
evaluations and to describe how close they have come to describing what a universally designed
building is. Methods: Evaluation approaches are reviewed from the existing literature across
a number of spatial disciplines, including UD, human geography and urban studies.
Results: Four categories of UD evaluation methods are outlined, including (1) checklist
evaluations, (2) value-driven evaluations, (3) holistic evaluations, and (4) invisible evaluations.
Conclusions: A number of suggestions are made to aid research aimed at developing UD
evaluation in buildings. (1) Design standards and guidelines should be contested or validated
where possible; (2) evaluation criteria should be contextual; (3) it may be more practical to
have separate methodologies for contextualising UD to allow for the creation of an evaluating
tool that is practical in use. Additionally, there is a difficulty in establishing a clear basis for
evaluating how empathetic buildings are without expanding the methodological horizons of
UD evaluation.
Sponsor
Grant Number
Irish Research Council (IRC)
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/paviasDescription:
PUBLISHED
Author: Pavia, Sara
Type of material:
Journal ArticleSeries/Report no:
Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology;11;
1;
Availability:
Full text availableSubject (TCD):
Inclusive Society , universal designDOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/17483107.2014.921842Metadata
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