Inclusive Design
An inclusive approach to planning and design is an opportunity to use creativity and lateral thinking to create spaces that reflect the diversity of people who want to use them.
Inclusive design is the creation of an environment that can be accessed and used by as many people as possible, regardless of age, gender and disability. The decisive factor for this is coordination with user groups who place people of different age, performance, gender and social characteristics at the center of the design process.
Think accessible or universal design, and you might imagine winding ramps and institutional and impersonal designs of public spaces that are incompatible with the aesthetics of your dream home or office design. At its core, accessibility is about addressing the needs of everyone who lives in, visits, or uses a space; Seen from that perspective, universal design is like any other design problem, and indeed it can produce beautiful, creative, and uplifting results.
An inclusive environment is not only relevant for buildings; it also applies to the surrounding open spaces, where people participate in everyday activities. This includes stores, offices, hospitals, recreational facilities, parks, and streets. It takes into account the diversity and uniqueness of each user group. To achieve this, built environment professionals must involve potential users at all stages of the design process; from project order to detailed construction and completion planning.
This is designing with the intention of incorporating the different challenges individuals may have and factoring that into the design concept. Thanks to advances in technology, there are lots of solutions available for space users with mobility issues. Giving careful consideration to the use of certain patterns, and the selection of fabrics and other materials and finishes are some subtle but effective design considerations for older space users who may have issues with balance, or incontinence. Further examples of inclusive design would include having walk-in bathtubs or wet rooms and introducing grab bars for disabled or elderly family members as a way to help make life a little easier for occupants.
In addition to factoring in users with disability, inclusive design can also be seen in terms of designing spaces to fit the different personality types that employees have. Making a space work for most people would in turn have an impact on productivity and wellbeing in the work place.
Research has shown that using the most predominant personality grouping, the Myers-Briggs Personality test, spaces can be designed to accommodate almost everyone using it.
Extroverts thrive in dynamic open plan offices. They also prefer to work in agile offices. There, they can participate in discussions and collaborations, draw energy from outings and socializing, and drive. By providing a touch-down room, brainstorming area and cool lounge area, they have the opportunity to get out of the rigorous workspace and become their best self. While the opposite seems to hold sway for introverts, many introverts would feel the constant social interactions as distracting and exhausting. Their productivity is directly related to the time and space in which they have a quiet area of concentration. They don’t adapt well to hot desks. They would require a quiet enclave and a private room to block or attenuate the sound. The cozy corner lounge allows introverts to escape social noise.
Outdoor spaces that offer a quiet escape are also ideal for neurotics, together with introverts and agreeable personality types. Environments which allow people to take a break from work and relax the mind helps them feel rejuvenated and more focused when they return to their desks
Spaces that allow for employees to functional maximally should be strongly encouraged, work pods, collaborative spaces or single use rooms for the more reticent employees are all ways to boost morale and encourage inclusivity in design.
This also speaks to designing spaces that although are functional can still look beautiful and uplifting. The essence and importance of being intentional in designing spaces to suit everyone is that it makes occupants feel included and valued and can in fact be the deciding factor in an employee choosing one firm over the other.
It may not be possible to have a plan for every situation, or every possible question someone might have but it is possible to make plans for the most likely situations and possible contingencies.
One design doesn’t fit all. It is important to understand how space impacts cognitive behavior in people with different personalities. This will help create the right combination of open, closed and social spaces that will fulfill everybody’s needs. Considering the different working styles of employees can be a gamechanger when it comes to productivity and employee well-being.
“One design doesn’t fit all. It is important to understand how space impacts cognitive behavior in people with different personalities. This will help create the right combination of open, closed and social spaces that will fulfill everybody’s needs.”