Incorporating Universal Design into Home Building

Fundación ONCE has developed a prototype for an intelligent, barrier-free and sustainable house to demonstrate how a variety of needs of disabled people can be met and how Universal Design can be integrated into building. Between 2016 and 2017, more than 70,000 people visited the house on its journey across Spain.

Fundación ONCE, a leading Spanish foundation with a focus on disabilities, has created a smart, accessible, and sustainable house-prototype to demonstrate the possibilities of constructing and equipping a home that meets a variety of disability needs. The house, which can be towed by a lorry, was designed to address issues of accessibility, security, energy, and communications. In 2016–2017 the house, along with a team of demonstrators, travelled some 20,000 kilometres throughout Spain to show the public, building professionals, and public officials the various ways that they can incorporate Universal Design into their work. More than 70,000 people visited the house on its national journey.

Problems Targeted

Architecture and design professionals often do not take account of Universal Design when creating homes because this is not normally incorporated into standard training.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The project consists of a specially-designed extendable trailer that mimics a family home, with an internal area of 140m² that is accessible for people with a variety of disabilities or reduced mobility. The home, which includes a kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom, incorporates a range of intelligent devices and technologies that solve accessibility problems throughout. Features include touch lamps, fall detectors, adjustable-height wash basins, and automated blinds. A team of demonstrators provide guided tours and answer questions, and additional solutions are displayed via screens. The home targets professionals in the public and administration sector and those responsible for developing policies on accessibility, security, and sustainability. More than 70,000 people have visited the facility, and devices associated with the house were presented at a workshop on accessibility products and services at the European Commission in February 2017.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

Funding was provided by Real Patronato de la Discapacidad (the Royal Board on Disability), with the project costing €550,000 over two years, including build and touring costs. The accessible home is no longer touring, but variations of the technology and model continue to be exhibited as example rooms at fairs in Spain, such as the Salón Inmobiliario Internacional de Madrid (Spanish Real Estate Exhibition) and the Barcelona Building Construmat. The model has proven to be influential across Spain and therefore has strong potential for replication in other European cities and towns. Notably, during the initial tour several cities requested the home to be brought to their locations.

Pictures

The bathroom in La Casa Accesible.

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