Henry Skates

An Evaluation of Public Space Accessibility Using Universal Design Principles at Naresuan University Hospital

The objective of this research is to study how well Naresuan University Hospital complies with the requirements of seven Universal Design (UD) principles in relation to the requirements and physical restrictions of deaf, blind, mobility impaired and elderly users. To achieve this the requirements and physical obstacles of the facilities within the public zone of the hospital were analysed. The research uses qualitative and quantitative methods to implement a heuristic evaluation method (HEM) along side a scenario access audit which required a participation of a group of people with different types of disabilities, experience the level of accessibility of the service functions in public areas of this hospital. The UD principles investigated were: equitable use; flexibility in use; simple and intuitive use; perceptible information; tolerance for error; low physical effort; size and space for approach use. The results of this research present a specific summary of the observations, which found that significant obstructions occurred in the main communication and circulation spaces. This problem has been classified into two parts consisting of: (1) Obstructions to general service accessibility caused by inappropriate use of space, and (2) insufficient and inappropriate facilities covering all types of disability.

ASA special issue: Building on knowledge: theory and practice

Introduction This issue of the Architectural Science Review features articles presented at the most recent conference of the Architectural Science Association (ASA) formerly known as the Australian and New Zealand Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA). The conference was held at Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia, in November 2012, where the inaugural head of the Discipline of Architecture at Griffith, Professor Gordon Holden, welcomed delegates. In his address, Professor Holden emphasized the importance of Architectural Science for not only the discipline and profession of architecture, but also in the teaching of architecture. The keynote address entitled ‘Architectural Science Realities: How to Get in and out Again’ was presented by Professor Marc Aurel Schnabel from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The address acknowledged that problem-based communication including online interactions, multimedia, mobile computing and face-to-face interaction, had created blended communication environments that were an iterative and reflexive process. He observed that current ways of interaction had pedagogical implications, and that empowering learners to collaborate and communicate by integrating a variety of skills, knowledge and social environments, resulted in a rich learning experience. In relation to practice he suggested that ‘implementing social network-enabled communication can move design beyond its conventional realm and enable stakeholders to develop architectural knowledge that is embedded into a community of experts with their expertise both online and offline’. The themes for the conference once again covered the broad spectrum of disciplines that contribute to architectural science including: Architecture and the environment; Buildings and energy; Construction materials and technology; Design education and computing; Thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics; and Urban and landscape studies. The technical committee received and reviewed 84 abstracts, from which eventuated some 50 peer reviewed papers including some written by research students and junior academics.