Evaluating the Effectiveness of Universal Design Principles in Architecture Design Studio

Abstract

Universal design, also known as inclusive design, accessible design, and barrier-free design, is a worldwide concept aimed at making everyone feel comfortable in their surroundings. Making advantage of this notion would aid in the removal of current social and environmental barriers that some individuals face, such as disabled people, women, children, the elderly, and the sick. The study highlights accessible layout, visible information or guidance, suitable size and space to accommodate all users within a safe and hazard-free setting as major characteristics of an inclusive built environment. This research talks about to implement Universal design principles (UDPs) in architecture education. This research aims to develop the design studio framework for B.Arch. 3rd year to include the universal design principles. A comparative analysis study has been carried out with the undergraduate students of a third-year design studio in Jamia Millia Islamia between the pre and post-design exercise about universal design principles to analyze the difference if universal design principles are implemented in the course curriculum.