Towards Innovative and Inclusive Architecture

Grangaard, Sidse

doi:10.21606/drs.2016.70

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The participants (primarily architecture firms) found that the prescriptive requirements were overly homogeneous and unreasonable. For this reason, they suggested a performance-based model with application categories, which was already in use in the area of fire safety [11]. A majority of participants in the study saw a new model as a possible way to move away from the checklist approach, which created situations in which a building and its requirements are handled separately and not considered as a whole [5].…”

Section: The Focus On Dissemination Of Udmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to Communicate Universal Design to Architects on a New Website? A Reflection on the Type of Knowledge Requested

Grangaard

2021

Universal Design 2021: From Special to Mainstream Solutions

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: The Focus On Dissemination Of Udmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to Communicate Universal Design to Architects on a New Website? A Reflection on the Type of Knowledge Requested

Grangaard

2021

Universal Design 2021: From Special to Mainstream Solutions

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Despite Denmark ratifying CRPD in 2009, UD was not implemented in the Danish Building Regulations until 2018 in the form of a guideline on the concept of users. Nevertheless, the prescriptive accessibility requirements have been criticised for being unreasonable and too homogeneous and preventing differentiation (Grangaard, 2016). With the launch of the 2018 governmental initiative on the improvement of public access to buildings, there is now political focus on the development of performance-based requirements for accessibility and, thus, UD.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opening the Black Box of Accessibility Regulation

Grangaard¹,

Gottlieb²

2019

10th Nordic Conference on Construction Economics and Organization

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Unveiling the missing innovation – an actor–network theory analysis of regulatory efforts towards universal design

Grangaard,

Lygum

2024

ARCH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study and analyse challenges in a regulatory innovation process in the field of accessibility and universal design (UD) practice. The study takes its starting point in a Danish regulatory initiative concerning innovation in building regulations. The aim of the initiative was to facilitate a new approach, which acknowledges human diversity to a greater degree than is the case with the traditional accessibility approach that relies on prescriptive requirements.Design/methodology/approachThe actor–network theory perspective of translation is employed to analyse the process and the complexity of the network of elements involved in the efforts to develop a new approach. The analysis is grounded in a qualitative survey, including semi-structured interviews, with respondents from architectural firms and respondents from local building authorities (municipalities) of their experiences with the building regulations and their way of working with accessibility or UD. The analysis concerned the following questions: 1) Which actors were intended to be enrolled in the network of an initiative about UD innovation? and 2) What factors contributed to the failure of the efforts of the building sector to develop innovative UD solutions?FindingsThe findings show that none of the actors involved succeeded with an innovation solution. Lack of knowledge about UD, accessibility, and the low status of the subject together with tight economy and the anticipation of expensive solutions, prevented the architectural firms and building surveyors from embracing innovative solutions. Based on the findings, the discussions reflect on the implications for the future adoption of UD in future policymaking.Originality/valueLooking into the complexity of an innovative initiative, this paper contributes to the field of regulation concerning universal design.

show abstract

Towards Innovative and Inclusive Architecture

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

How to Communicate Universal Design to Architects on a New Website? A Reflection on the Type of Knowledge Requested

How to Communicate Universal Design to Architects on a New Website? A Reflection on the Type of Knowledge Requested

Opening the Black Box of Accessibility Regulation

Unveiling the missing innovation – an actor–network theory analysis of regulatory efforts towards universal design

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About