Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
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The presence of a critical threshold inevitably makes it difficult to access the local and
consequently affects also the internal function.
The decision to use different symbols and colors to indicate the 3 accessibility levels and
to organize the 2 disabilities macro-systems into 2 different columns, immediately allows
to understand (even not for the experts) that the analyzed building presents the major
accessibility issues for mobility impaired people than those with sensory disabilities.
The particular morphological structure of the complex and the presence of 4 courtyards
which differ each other in shape, size and green, are elements that facilitate the
orientation for blind or visually impaired people. The porched spaces around the
courtyards are also a natural guide for the blind users that ensures an independent use
of space.
Finally, we report a sobering provocation: is the "accessible with assistance" level
(caused in the majority of the analyzed cases by the lack of multisensory devices in the
signage design) really in the intermediate position between the “not accessible” and the
“accessible in complete independence” levels? Does the solution to ensure users with
disabilities the opportunity to be always accompanied, really respect the rights of the
individual and the concept of equity?
Conclusions
Thanks to the problem objective breaking down into 4 investigation areas and later into
several architectural elements, we can form a comprehensive database, easy to be
completed and updated over time, which gives the designers a detailed feedback that
can help the project of interventions to improve accessibility.
This result is particularly significant especially in relation to the historical buildings, where
interventions in terms of accessibility and the architectural and sensorial barriers
overcoming have to deal with the constraints of safeguard and conservation.
The assessment research done in the specific case of Palazzo San Felice stresses that
the design approach (to solve the detected problems) should be studied and done with a
uniform task.
From this work it is also underlined that the accessibility is often obstructed even only
from the improper placement of the movable furniture which become an obstacle to use,
both for the mobility impaired people in the case in which they form narrowing in the
passage place, both for the sensorial impaired people in the case in which the object can
not be easily perceived. Therefore, we have to aim to a conscious approach not only in
the architectural design and planning, but also in the use and this is surely achieved
through the experience and people awareness.
In fact, we have to admit that the designers attention for extended users often concerns
only the macro-elements (such as the threshold between external and internal areas)
and not the furniture or signage design.
Thinking and designing a proper signage system, which takes into account on one hand
the building use flows and on the other hand the dimensional and formal characteristics
(including the choice of materials and colors) means also to increase the environment
accessibility.
In conclusion, the work presented in this occasion aims to be the starting point to
improve a conscious approach extended to all university buildings that can help to
understand the level of building accessibility and consequently the level of social
sustainability.
The accessibility assessment tool, which is objective, easy and intuitive to be applied
and exportable to different study cases in the Italian historical universities panorama,
allows the definition of the critical issues on which we have to intervene through a
targeted programme. The final goal is to make the building accessible through an
