Inclusive environments

Question 1

What is included in CABE ‘Inclusion by design’?

Answer 1

• CABE = Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment - Govt’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space
• Highlights the benefits of diversity of representation in the design and planning process
• Outlines the link between economic inequality and environment inequality
• Challenge for built environment not to exacerbate income inequality
• Good design can foster good relations between, and within, communities
• Outlines the benefits of inclusive design and some of the priorities for CABE, professional advisers and Local Authorities

Question 2

What is British Standard BS8300?

Answer 2

• Best practice (not regulation) on making buildings accessible and welcoming to disabled people
• Focus on how developers can build inclusive environments from the start
• How the whole environment can be made accessible
• Guidelines extend most elements of a building, e.g. entrances, stairs, corridors, etc.

Question 3

What does Approved Document Part M cover?

Answer 3

Guidance not legally binding

Split between dwellings and other buildings

Minimum standards for access to, and use of buildings

Three main points:

1) Everybody, including disabled, should be able to access all parts of the building
2) Sanitary conveniences should be made available for all
3) Reasonable provision made for disabled if there is a seating provision

Includes:

• Use of ramps - safe degrees of pitch and dimensions when building wheelchair accessible facility
• Construction of accessible stairs and corridors
• Safe height of stairs and accessible width of both corridors and stairs

Question 4

What is an inclusive environment?

Answer 4

• Recognises and accommodates differences in the way people use the built and natural environment
• Facilitates dignified, equal and intuitive use by everyone
• Doesn’t physically or socially separate, discriminate, or isolate
• Accommodates and welcomes diverse user needs

Question 5

What is discrimination?

Answer 5

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of one of the 9 protected characteristics (Equality Act 2010)

Question 6

Can you give some examples of inclusive design in a building?

Answer 6

• Ramps or lifts
• Hearing loops
• Dedicated feeding areas
• Accessible parking bays adjacent to the building entrance
• Contrasting colours on things like stair nosing, door frames, plug sockets

Question 7

Are the ‘approved documents’ of Building Regulations legally binding?

Answer 7

• Local Authorities have power to enforce building regulations
• Approved Documents provide general guidance
• BUT alternative design solutions permitted
• Building Act 1984 creates the role of ‘approved inspector’ - who may act in place of the local authority building control service
• Building Regulations require that a projects compliance with the building regulations is independently verified

Question 8

What are some of the overarching challenges in designing inclusive environments?

Answer 8

• Cost
• Society’s needs constantly changing
• Sufficient consultation
• Appreciating the distinction between ethical issues as opposed to legal requirements; can be legal but not ethical

Question 9

What are the 6 Construction Industry Council principles for ensuring an inclusive environment?

Answer 9

1. Contribute to building an inclusive society now and in the future
2. Apply professional and responsible judgement and take a leadership role
3. Apply and integrate the principles of inclusive design from the outset of a project
4. Do more than just comply with legislation and codes
5. Seek multiple views to solve accessibility and inclusivity challenges
6. Acquire the skills, knowledge, understanding and confidence to make inclusion the norm not the exception

Question 10

What is the Building Act?

Answer 10

• Building Act 1984
• Legislation securing the health, safety and welfare of persons in or about buildings
• Preventing waste
• Empowers / obliges Local Authorities to enforce Building Regulations
• Sets legal status of ‘approved documents’
• Creates role of ‘approved inspector’

Question 11

Tell me more about your client rejecting a design as it wasn’t flexible enough?

Answer 11

• RIBA Stage 3 design completed
• New build offices
• Client wanted to retain flexibility to reduce occupancy levels in offices and meeting rooms, and increase circulation spaces such as size of lobbies and width of stair cores (as alternative to using lift)
• Came at recognised cost of net/gross space