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First Juried Collection of Universal Design Exemplars

Images of Universal Design Excellence Project shows innovative ways to serve people's needs across the lifespan.

The National Endowment for the Arts, the National Building Museum and Universal Designers & Consultants, Inc. announced the first-ever juried collection of universal design exemplars-- 37 designs selected from 100 entries of a national universal design competition. Jointly sponsored by the three organizations and organized by Universal Designers and Consultants, Inc., the collection is aimed at encouraging the design of spaces, objects and communication that are usable by people from childhood throughout their older years.

The Arts Endowment and the Building Museum developed this educational project to better educate design practitioners, faculty, students, and others on this important design concept. The selected images show examples of universal design excellence in the fields of architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, graphic design and industrial design. These are models of what can be done when designers reach beyond compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to create products and environments that are usable by everyone. (See the six Principles of Universal Design.) Examples of selected projects include:

G-O-Cup
This prototype for a disposable cup and lid, cut and folded from all-recycled paper fiber, was designed by Tim Johnson. The lid is secured to the paper cup with three oversized grab hooks that fit into the cup rim. The lid can be removed by pulling on any of these three hooks, though this is not necessary to drink from the cup. This product could be integrated into the design for any disposable drink cup. The product reduces hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions with its oversized highly visible sidewall seam and open rim band that act as cool zones for the user's thumb and fingers. The recessed lid is designed to act as a splash guard to contain hot liquids.

Matheny School
The design for the planned Matheny School & Hospital Performing Arts Building is a unique and fully accessible multi-tiered seating plan that allows wheelchair users and others to be seated in almost any location on all levels. Through the use of folding or permanently installed seats, individuals in wheelchairs can be positioned next to any number of their companions whether they are in wheelchairs or not, and enjoy a performance.

In the Matheny School & Hospital Performing Arts Building, designed by Michael Farewell of Ford, Farewell, Mills & Gatch Architects, the flexibility is enormous allowing near universal seating for any individual at any location. Besides accessible seating, the stage and performing areas are also all accessible bio-ramps and direct access passageways.

Kravis Center
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts consists of three performance facilities and a restaurant/conference center. Built over a period of years from 1992 - 1996, each subsequent building reflects the increasing movement toward universal design in architecture with the amphitheater being the most recent and perhaps most universally usable. The Kravis Center has many features and details of varying degrees of usability that make it difficult to evaluate as a whole. However, all three box office counters have been lowered. The noteworthy feature and focus of the submittal of the Kravis Center is its carefully planned circulation system. Through use of ramps, sloping walks, elevators, and appropriate stairs, the designers have provided access to all levels and to many seating positions within each venue. This unusual vertical circulation system allows people of differing levels of ability, including wheelchair users to have a choice of seating level location more nearly similar to that available to others. The circulation system increases the universal usability of the public areas of the complex and allows stage access from seating areas for any participant. Further, the backstage dressing rooms in all three theaters are fully accessible. The Gosman Amphitheater is the most recently completed and offers perhaps the best example of flexibility and choice for everyone attending scheduled events. Ramps between low screen walls at each side connect front and back row cross aisles and provide access to the performance stage. The gently sloping grass area is also accessible and the pair of double doors lead to toilets and other amenities for all building users.

The National Building Museum, Washington: Symbol and City
The exhibit focuses on the design of the Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C. The design of the exhibit is intended to integrate all visitors, including people with visual and mobility impairments as well as others. Large models of buildings such as the Washington Monument and the White House are designed to be touched by visitors. They are mounted on pedestals or other bases that allow a close approach for wheelchair users, children and adults of short stature. They are accompanied by various sizes of high contrast visual and tactile labels for sighted and non-sighted users. There are multiple labels written for differing interest levels as well. The three-dimensional exhibits are also combined with high contrast visual materials and an audio tape description system. The exhibit has a guide rail and a system of tactile floor areas to help users in finding and understanding particular exhibits. Floor space for approach and use of exhibits is accessible for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Lighting levels are varied and designed to provide highlights and contrasts for people with low vision. Other displays include building components such as an actual stone bracket and bolster from the Capitol building and a high contrast tactile map of The Mall. The exhibit is equipped with Braille labels, high contrast labels and audio description that makes the exhibit a good example of design for all people in the same space.

The complete Images of Universal Design Excellence collection consists of elements of the following projects: (NOTE: The order reflects the submission sequence, not the importance or quality of the project).

Selected images can be viewed online.

Please see Principals of Universal Design


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