Universal architecture in the designer's eye

The elective course has a twofold ambition: 1) expanding knowledge about the human being, her physiology, her cognitive and functional capacities in relation to architecture and spatial design; and 2) explaining frequent key words in use when it comes to building and building regulations: accessibility, social inclusion, sustainability, usability and universal design. The course proceeds from field studies of exemplary models of architecture and individual experiences of space. The course relies on a six seminars:

• The human brain, spatial thinking and architecture
• The definition of accessibility, usability and social inclusion
• Experiences of space and sensuous architecture, invited lecture.
• Ad hoc study visits to various examples of appropriate and inappropriate architecture
• Coaching for writing scientific papers and making inquiry-by-design presentations)

Individual assignment:

The course includes a final exam that can be realized as an individual assignment or a work in a smaller group. The individual assignment can be executed as a written research paper with a methodological approach for assessing and evaluating various types of architectural design, drawings that present a solution for a universal design problem, or an oral presentation supported by a power-point-based slide show. The course will introduce necessary literature, available as e-books or possible to loan in the Architecture library. The particular research angle for the individual assignment is recommended to correlate with a design issue that the student’s studio project offers. The assignment could be executed as a short academic paper with a short 5 minute presentation (long paper) or as powerpoint presentation of 10 minutes (short paper).

Finalized papers from fall 2014 (downloadable files far below on the website): 

Chrysovergis, Stavros, 2014: Desire paths; correcting the architects. (short paper)

Dindone, Inese, 2014: Staircases. (long paper)

Esteban Gómez, Maria, 2014: Accessibility; theory & use. (long paper)

Flimel, Daniel, 2014:Student housing at Drottning Kristinas väg 47, Stockholm. A retrospective study on accessibility. (long paper)

Flodström, Annie, 2014: Tre arkitekturteoretiker om platsskapande egenskaper inom arkitekturen. Genius loci, sinnes- och minnesupplevelser samt atmosfär inom arkitekturen. [Three architecture theorists on place-making capacities in architecture. Genius loci, memory and sensory experiences and atmosphere in architecture]. (long paper)

Gradin, Therése, 2014: Arkitekturens vägledande förmåga för synskadade patienter. Studie av akutmottagningens väntrum på St Eriks Ögonsjukhus. [The supportive role of architecture for visually impaired patients. Study of a patient waiting room at the St Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm] (long paper)

Heinemann, Aron, 2014: Title in progress. (long paper) 

Jonsson Nordmark, Gabriel & Solis, Alba, 2014: TACTILE MAPS: Establishing a tactile vocabulary for conveying spatial configurations. (long paper/ exploratory study)

Kotvan, Michal, 2014: Kiruna Housing. Accessibility, flexibility and adaptability in apartments. (short paper)

Lee, Robin, 2014: Hammarbyhöjden - accessibility. (short paper)

Loidl, Johannes, 2014: CASE STUDY on STREETMEKKA / GAM3 Copenhagen, Denmark (short paper)

Mitschke, Yvonne, 2014: Accessibility and historical gardens. (long paper).

Oosterwaal, Lonneke, 2014: Wayfinding in hospitals. Outpatient areas in Ducht hospitals. (short paper).

Pepels, Nadia, 2014: Design for the blinds. How can the Moderna Muséet in Stockholm, Sweden, be adjusted to the needs of people with visual impairments so that this group of visitors can enjoy the museum's art collections. (short paper).

Racine, Anaïs, 2014: Modern demands on accessibility in sensitive architectural space. (long paper)

Robin, Mirja, 2014: Blind teater. [Blind theatre]. (long paper)

Runkvist, Adils, 2014: Accessibility in a Attefall house and a Friggebod. (short paper)

Ryderstedt, Jenny, 2014. En studie i arkitektur i samband med nedsatt hörsel. [A study on architecture in relation to reduced hearing]. 

Stjernqvist, Frida, 2014: Tillgänglighet på universitetsbibliotek. En jämförande studie mellan Stockholms universitetsbibliotek och Södertörns Högskolebibliotek. [Accessibility in university libraries. A comparative study of Stockholm University Library and Södertörns University Library]. (long paper).

Studerus, Christian, 2014:Reflections on accessibility and home.(short paper)

Sundell, Karolina, 2014: Hälsofrämjande arkitektur. [Health-promoting architecture]. (long paper)