Symposium :: Inclusive design with multi-senses
Friday 14th April 2023 @13.00hrs, The Challenge Lab, STEAMHouse Birmingham, Belmont Row, Birmingham, UK, B4 7RQ
Sponsors
Organisers
- Dr Jieling Xiao, School of Architecture and Design, Birmingham City University, UK
- Dr Francesco Aletta, Institute for Environment, Design and Engineering, University College London, UK
This symposium opens a conversation about designing inclusive environments from a multi-sensory perspective. It will have a series of short talks and an exhibition.
Inclusive design is an approach to designing products, services, and environments that considers the needs and abilities of a diverse range of people[1]. It aims to create solutions that can be used by the widest possible range of people, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, ability, or other characteristics. Inclusive design goes beyond accessibility, which focuses on making things accessible to people with disabilities, and takes into account the needs of a broader range of people[2]. The Inclusive Design Research Centre distinguishes the inclusive design approach from universal design as looking for a one-size-fits-one individualised design process and solution rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, addressing the diversity and uniqueness of each individual.
Taking a sensory perspective, what adds to the inclusive design agenda and values? Understanding the multi-sensory perceptions (the cross-modal correspondences) is important to the creation of healthy buildings that brings wellness and delight to the built environment[3]. Considering senses like sound, smell, and vision in a holistic way is essential for inclusive design because it acknowledges the diverse sensory needs and preferences of individuals. Each person has unique sensory experiences and may process sensory information differently, depending on factors such as age, gender, culture, and ability. Therefore, designing environments that only address physical accessibility may not be enough to promote inclusion and wellbeing. By taking a multi-sensory approach, designers can create spaces that are not only accessible but also engaging and enriching for all individuals. This can lead to a more positive experience for users and a sense of belonging, promoting social inclusion and a greater sense of community.
The growing ageing population (with reduced sensory functions) and climate change (changing the sensory stimuli in the environment), and recent pandemics (breaking the sensory dynamics and relationship with the outdoor environment), are challenging the way we perceive our living environments. Specific groups such as people who live with dementia and children with autism have difficulties processing sensory information whilst can also benefit from designed sensory environments. Sensory interventions and training in clinical practice show possible sensory inclusion in future environments to facilitate the needs of specific groups. Drawing from burgeoning research on aural diversities[4] and visual diversities[5] in the built environment, we aim for a conversation on a wider spectrum of sensory differences and interactions in the design of environments. Rather than just looking at short-term or/and long-term sensory impairment or disorder, this symposium also aims to discuss what other sensory diversities should be considered in this inclusive design agenda and what the future research directions are.
Speakers and presenters
- Prof./Dr Charles Spence, Crossmodal Research Laboratory, University of Oxford
- Prof./ Dr Jian Kang, Institute for Environment, Design and Engineering, University College London
- Assoc. Prof./Dr PerMagnus Lindborg, School of Creative Media, City University of Hongkong
- Dr Antonella Radicchi, School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Birmingham City University
- Prof. Em./Dr. Dietrich Henckel, Technical University of Berlin
- Dr Carolina Vasilikou, School of Architecture, Manchester Metropolitan University
- Assoc. Prof./Dr Victoria Bates, Department of History, University of Bristol
- Prof./Dr Jonathan Reinarz, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham
- Dr Cecilia Bembibre, Institution for sustainable heritage, University College London
- Dr Dmitrijs Dmitrenko, Department of Informatics, University of Sussex
Acknowledgement
The event is an output of The UK Acoustics Network Plus [grant number EP/V007866/1]. It is also supported by the Network Mobility Conference Fund from Birmingham City University. The venue was provided by STEAMHouse Birmingham.
Registration
EventBrite – – > STEAMhouse, Belmont Row, Birmingham, B4 7RQ
Agenda
- 12.30hrs Register
- 13.00hrs Welcome
- 13.30hrs Talk by Prof./Dr Charles Spence (online)
- 13.45hrs talk by Prof./Dr Jian Kang
- Coffee break 15mins
- 14.15hrs Assoc. Prof./Dr PerMagnus Lindborg
- 14.30hrs Dr Antonella Radicchi and Prof. Em./Dr. Dietrich Henckel
- 14.45hrs Assoc. Prof./Dr Victoria Bates
- 15.00hrs Dr Carolina Vasilikou
- Coffee Break 30mins
- 15.45hrs Prof./Dr Jonathan Reinarz
- 16.00hrs Dr Cecilia Bembibre
- 16.15hrs Dr Dmitrijs Dmitrenko
- Coffee Break 15mins
- 16.45 hrs Workshop: mapping the sensory inclusiveness in the built environment via a co-design task
- 18.00hrs Inclusive tasting experience in the Chinese Quarter (only available to the speakers and organisers)
[1] Coleman, R. and Lebbon, C., 1999. Inclusive design. Helen Hamlyn Research Centre, Royal College of Art.
[2] Clarkson, P.J., Coleman, R., Keates, S. and Lebbon, C., 2013. Inclusive design: Design for the whole population.
[3] Spence, C., 2020. Senses of place: architectural design for the multisensory mind. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 5(1), p.46.
[4] Drever, J.L. and Hugill, A., 2022. Aural Diversity: General Introduction. In Aural Diversity (pp. 1-12). Routledge.
[5] Radicchi, A. and Henckel, D., 2023. Planning Artificial Light at Night for Pedestrian Visual Diversity in Public Spaces. Sustainability, 15(2), p.1488.