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As organisations we move at the speed of trust. We have a lot of outreaches from students and architects at the beginning of their careers that want to understand more about accessible and inclusive buildings and experiences. We practise ‘tension-based innovation’ where the differences and diversity illuminate issues and allow open innovation without harm to anyone. We do not chase perfection, nor the minimum viable product, but look towards the minimum valuable product enabling the optimal result for all.
ANY RECENT PROJECTS OR WORK YOU ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF?
There is huge satisfaction knowing you have reduced the mismatch between how a building or product ‘should be’ used and a more user-centred, co-design approach that embraces inclusive design. I have had amazing feedback from my role as RIBA Core CPD speaker for Inclusive Environments 2023 – from architects that have been practising over 30 years, to architects entering the profession saying they learnt something new and that they have been inspired.
My greatest and most humbling achievement is having the opportunity to attend the Global Inclusive Schools’ Forum at the UNESCO HQ in Paris in March this year. This is an ongoing project working towards the 2030 agenda for sustainable development that provides a unique opportunity to build more inclusive just and fair societies. We know that inclusion is the key to building peace, bridging divides and empowering all citizens to contribute meaningfully to society.
I was a judge in the first Global Inclusion Awards and asked to create a special interest group, within the IFIP for Architecture and Design going forward. In total, 149 organisations and individuals were recognised and celebrated for realising inclusion across eight categories from 39 countries across the globe.
HOW HAS THE INDUSTRY PURSUED DESIGN FOR NEURODIVERSITY?
I do believe that even though neurodiversity is now a mainstream subject, design is not yet as inclusive as it could be. When we consider designing for the disabled, we should all be aware that nearly 13 million disabled people in the UK do not use a wheelchair; this includes neurodivergent and neurodegenerative groups.
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Gillian Burgis Smith discusses sensory exclusion and inclusion at Frovi Showroom, Clerkenwell Design Week 2023
The RIBA have created two overlays to the RIBA Plan of Work – the Inclusive Design Overlay – to embed inclusive design through Inclusive Design Consultants and champions and the Engagement Overlay. The well-researched WELL Building Institute Equity rating empowers organisations to take action. The British Standards Institute has produced new guidance (PAS 6463: 2022), the first building design standard produced by a national standards body to specifically address the needs of people who are neurodivergent and have sensory processing differences. Its launch marks a shift in thinking about non-visible disabilities in terms of physical environments, experiences and neurological safety and awareness.
WHAT IS YOUR NEXT BIG CHALLENGE? I would like to learn more about other methodologies and platforms such as Extended Realities (XR) and Augmented Realities (AR) to help identify challenges and opportunities and create more inclusive environments and experiences. Also, to look towards neuroscience and behaviourism to bridge the gaps. I often said if I wasn’t an architect, I’d be a psychologist. Architects and designers have tended to rely on visual representation of design and create the built environment, with other
senses being secondary. At Strawberry Leopard and Citizens with Experience we put body and mind at the centre of design.
WHAT ARE THE BIG CHANGES NEEDED FOR BETTER ENVIRONMENTS FOR DEGENERATIVE NEURODIVERSITY? We need both a top-down and bottom- up approach. Government legislation, planning regulations, Building Regulations, and recognition from the RIBA and other governing bodies. All of which is starting to happen.
Additionally, design student course work should recognise the need for design for neurodiversity. Companies need to measure and track their diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility objectives. Product marketing material needs to be informative, inclusive, and accessible to all. Being open to new ideas, not just ‘this is the way we have always done it’ needs to combine with encouraging open collaboration, listening to outliers, creating open cultures, and continuing to reflect the real world in all sectors, using design thinking tools.
Gillian Burgis Smith is founder of design consultancy Strawberry Leopard, co-founder of Citizens with Experience and consultant to Built for Marketing
ADF APRIL 2024
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