Evaluating universal design : exploring methodologies for rating universal design qualities in buildings

Abstract

Universal design (UD) is an approach to design that places the user at the focal point of the process, and extends the understanding of who is a user is. It is focused on redefining the aims of architectural design toward the creation of places where everyone, regardless of their embodied reality, can participate and enjoy without undue stress or intimidation. The chief objective of this dissertation was to produce an instrument for rating buildings, with the capacity to demonstrate to building designers and users the qualities of a building that are linked to the "universal design" paradigm.