About the tool:
ABOUT THE TOOL
The Universal Design Tool takes you through a Universal Design approach to development.
The tool provides practical design solutions illustrated with diagrams, real life examples and checklists.
It’s the easy and efficient way to start with the Universal Design expertise you need for your next project.
WHAT IS THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN TOOL?
The Universal Design Tool is a free resource that has been created to:
- Showcase good Universal Design outcomes for public buildings and mixed use developments
- Offer a database of good examples that designers can draw inspiration from
- Support delivering a human centred design approach that takes into consideration a wide range of abilities and life scenarios
The tool aspires to provide clearer parameters, and show what a great Universal Design response could look like.
HOW TO USE THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN TOOL
The tool takes you through the key areas and design components of a mixed-use development.
They are categorised into three areas – Outside and Surrounds, Entrances and Exits, and Inside the building. Each component has specific design outcomes to consider, and photography or diagrams that illustrate a good universal design response.
Each photograph or diagram can be saved at either a high or low resolution – so you can keep them as a quick reference, or have a high quality example for use in printed design concepts.
Take the tool with you wherever you go, as it is also mobile-friendly.
WHY USE UNIVERSAL DESIGN?
In Auckland, as in many cities around the world, the population is changing and changing fast. The diversity of people who use the built environment is growing at a pace unseen by previous generations. Older adults are fast becoming one of the largest demographics, and many older adults choose to remain in the workplace well past the age of 65. People are becoming both taller and wider with changes to diet and lifestyles. People who are disabled now make up 24% of the New Zealand population, many of whom are seeking employment and suitable places to live. More than 39% of Aucklanders were not born here, and Auckland hosts millions of visitors each year. People who are new to a country have different expectations of the built environment and may not have English as a first language. Universal design is the design solution that can truly make Auckland an inclusive and desirable city to live, work, and play in.
AUCKLAND STILL HAS A WAY TO GO
We would love to showcase an entire building that adopts a universal approach to design in Auckland – but at this stage we’ve yet to find one. The Universal Design Tool, instead highlights the design elements and spaces that have been done well within and around public and mixed use buildings in Auckland. What you’ll see here is an amalgamation of the best universal design elements from across the city.
For each element we have included a range of different design responses, to help you to grow your understanding of how you could deliver a comprehensive, universally designed building.
START WITH UNIVERSAL DESIGN
The best outcomes always occur when the issues have been considered from the beginning. Too often universal design is left until last. It is important to engage with end users with a range of abilities and consider their needs right from the start.
By thinking about your users from the beginning, you are able to avoid costly mistakes and the need to retrofit.
The ‘devil is in the detail’. When it comes time to progress your design from initial conceptual phase, we can provide you with a range of specialists that are working to promote universal design in the built environment.
GROW WITH US
This is a growing tool; as more great Auckland examples are built, the tool will grow too.
We are always interested in gathering more excellent examples, and if you think your new project showcases great universal design, please get in touch at akdesignmanual@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
HOW DOES THIS TOOL RELATE TO THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN HUB ON THE AUCKLAND DESIGN MANUAL?
The universal design hub houses the checklists and design guidance for delivering a great universally designed project. It is also home to a variety of tools and resources to support your understanding.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Auckland Design Manual Team would like to gratefully acknowledge the work of the Centre for Excellence for Universal Design in Ireland and Lifemark in the creation of the Design Outcomes. We would also like to warmly thank all of the contributors to the process of bringing the Universal Design Tool to fruition: Attitude Live, Auckland Council’s Disability Advisory Panel, Auckland Transport, Barrier Free NZ Trust, Be. Accessible, Blind Foundation, Brain-Injury Association, CCS Disability Action, Hearing Association New Zealand, National Foundation for the Deaf, and the New Zealand Institute of Architects.
PLEASE NOTE:
The Universal Design Tool is non-statutory and illustrates best practice design standards. We do our best to ensure accuracy but any information published on the Universal Design Tool should be regarded as a general guide only. Auckland Council is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken on the basis of such information and Auckland Council expressly excludes any liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.