Universal design: principles and models, by Roberta Null, Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, 2013, 380 pp., $114.00 (approx.; hardcover), ISBN 978-1466505292

Abstract

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Dr Roberta Null has written her second book on Universal Design with such broad appeal that it has relevance to the professional, academic, student, and the lay-person reader. Her writing encompasses the work of many disciplines in relation to Universal Design, for example: architecture; housing; interior design; product design; rehabilitation design; transportation; and, facilities management for: multiple dwelling units, business, education, commerce, hospitality, medical, childcare, and senior living facilities.Her work is underscored by a passion, and a life-time of connecting with people world-wide whose goal, like hers, is to improve the overall quality of living in the environment whether disabled or not. Many writers of second and multiple edition texts add-in new information, but their initial message and book format stays the same. Dr Null has fully integrated new topics in her book, for example, sustainability, with the principles of Universal Design. Her multi-disciplined approach is showcased by the over 80 book contributors, from the United States, Japan, Korea, Norway, United Kingdom, and South Africa, all cited at the beginning of the book, providing the reader with valuable resource material.The author’s design and book layout is excellent and gives the reader an easy way to locate specific material. For example, on the first page of each chapter the chapter contents are listed providing the reader with an overview of the material. The text’s topic headings are clearly defined and, frequently the material is broken down into a number/bullet format for further clarity. The reader is provided with an abundance of charts, floor plans, sketches, tables, figures and photographs, and a reference list of citations. The author’s teaching background is evident and is reflected in the book’s graphic appeal that superbly relates to the informative text. For example, seven photographs of accessible urban public transportation clearly illustrate the need for public transit that is designed for everyone’s use.In the introductory chapter, Dr Null demystifies the term Universal Design by documenting the work of Ron Mace, known as the Father of Universal Design, and explained his, and other practitioners, common sense approach for building supportive environments. The author further explained her thesis in chapter two by defining the four cornerstones of Universal Design: Supportive, Adaptable, Accessible, and Safety-Oriented design. She discusses the work of professional organizations (American Society of Interior Designers [ASID], Housing Education and Research Association [HERA], and The National Kitchen and Bath Association [NKBA]) and the progressive work being undertaken with “aging-in-place” and environmental programming in relation to Universal Design.The reason why Dr Null’s book makes such an important contribution to the field is the detailed information given on more than 300 examples of best practices projects and how and why they were universally designed. For example, in chapter three, the author details the process of implementing Universal Design, and illustrated techniques, such as interviewing and participatory design in undertaking this work. A detailed account is given of the process and work that went into the design of the “Autumn Chair Project”. The chair was researched and developed by Georgia Tech’s Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA). The account of this project gives the reader a clear understanding of prototype testing, and the many research and design disciplines involved in the chair’s success in fulfilling the user’s needs using evidenced-based design.In chapter four, the author uniquely covers the work of facility managers, by reviewing both the United Methodist Church and Purdue University’s football stadium’s construction strategies in meeting the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) guidelines. The information in chapter five is dedicated to the research and work of designers meeting user needs for enabling products (e.g. kitchen hand tools designed by OXO International). Universal Design in the office is reviewed in chapter six linking Universal Design with ergonomics as an investment tool for present and future productivity (with up-dates from the BOSTI group, health, safety, and welfare issues, acoustics, injuries, and costs).In chapters seven and eight, the author discusses design in public and commercial environments and Universal Design in the home. For example, the research and design teams work in creating a traveler friendly and ADA compliant facility, resulting in the Tampa International Airport’s award-winning Landside Terminal. Kitchen and bathroom design for aging at home were comprehensively addressed by the author with references to NKBA. Dr Null restates her philosophy, using many examples, that Universal Design provides home design for a lifetime, making it economical and sustainable.In the last three book chapters – Marketing Universal Design; Sustainability; and “What is the American with Disabilities Act?” – Dr Null provides the reader with information they can use now to improve the environment. As in the previous chapters, the topics are covered in the context of research with all facts and citations stated. For example, marketing strategies of the National Home Modification Action Coalition (NHMAC) who designed an interactive exhibit to help the public with their home remodeling projects are discussed. This reviewer has read many design related texts and was delighted that Dr Null dedicated a chapter to sustainability, and addressed the pressing issues of health (pollution and air quality), resources (e.g. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things), and the economics and funding involved in being green. The same is true of the ADA material in the last chapter. Dr Null reviews the legislative history and the statistics on the number of people who are disabled in the United States. She again features case studies, for example, 6 North Apartments in St Louis, with a lobby with special acoustic accents.In summary, what is unique about Dr Null’s book is the engaging way she integrates a broad range of research, case studies, user needs, legal policies, facts and figures, providing the reader with an understanding of, to quote the book’s title, “Universal Design: Principles and Models.” Bravo, for a well written and illustrated comprehensive text.Joy K. PotthoffBowling Green State University, Ohio, USAjpottho@bgsu.edu© 2015, Joy K. Potthoff