Based on experiences with the development of a new research-based website on Universal Design meant to inspire and qualify the work of the Danish building sector, this paper examines the types of knowledge requested by professionals in the building sector when working with Universal Design. The Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Authority commissioned a website with the aim of increasing the building sector’s knowledge of Universal Design and supporting a change in attitude towards universal design. The site is intended to function as a platform for disseminating knowledge about Universal Design that can support the regulatory system. The empirical material of the study consists of data from qualitative interviews with actors from the building sector and workshops with the advisory board of the website. The analysis shows that, on one hand, the sector requires good examples of Universal Design and knowledge about users and their needs and, on the other hand, it needs detailed help such as comprehensive checklists to ensure the appropriate process is undertaken. However, technical information about, for example, the gradient of a ramp, does not contribute to an architectural idea and will not change any mindsets in regard to Universal Design. This paper reflects on the duality of requests from the sector using the theoretical concept of liminality. The paper describes and argues for the chosen approach for the website, namely focusing on inspiring and assisting professionals in the building sector to enhance their level of knowledge and support a change in practice towards Universal Design.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to open the black box of prescriptive requirements by analysing their role in shaping interests and decisions on accessibility, and discuss the consequences hereof for a future move to a performance-based accessibility model based on Universal Design principles.Design/Methodology/Approach -A single case study based on 15 qualitative interviews with clients about their approach to accessibility and Universal Design is analysed by using actor-network theory (ANT) as the theoretical framework.Findings -It is shown that the prescriptive requirements in the Danish building regulations constitute a black box, which is decisive in defining the clients' perception of the users and their level of ambition for accessibility by inscribing specific expectations, actions and ways of knowing about accessibility.Research Limitations/Implications -The study is based on a qualitative single case study. We argue that analytical generalisations nevertheless can be drawn.Practical Implications -Performance-based regulations can be a source of innovation but also entail negative consequences for the quality of the built environment if treated in an isolated manner alone.Originality/Value -The paper contributes to the discussions on Universal Design and the implementation of performance-based accessibility regulation by illustrating how current prescriptive requirements are not mere "matters of fact" but play an active role in mobilising and shaping a network of users, technologies, norms and practices, which the introduction of performance-based requirements will radically alter.

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Denne artikel vil på baggrund af en workspace design-case fra mit phd.projekt beskrive udviklingen af begrebet 'bølger' og argumentere for, at der med bølger og bølgeøvelsen som grænseobjekt er skabt et redskab til de workspace designprofessionelles værktøjskasser. Et redskab, som kan italesætte den individuelle oplevelse af arbejdsdagen og bidrage til et fælles billede af organisationen blandt workspace design-processens parter.

In Denmark, the building sector is in a state of transition towards Universal Design (UD). Thus, UD has not yet completely found its way into the practice of architects and their clients. Legislation about accessibility has dominated. This paper studies understandings of UD through a discourse analysis based on a survey among professionals with experience and interest in UD and professionals who were expected to keep their fingers on the pulse of the profession’s development. The findings illustrate the existence of five discourses: 1) Social sustainability, 2) Re-instatement of humans as a focal point, 3) It is not just about ramps, 4) Equality, and 5) Giving a voice. Across the discourses there exists a genuine attempt to legitimise and mainstream UD into the architectural practice, focusing on multisensory and architectural quality in the design of spaces for human diversity in all scales.