1. Designing with ADA Standards
Architectural Design
Designing with ADA Standards
This presentation aligns with the lesson document and the student handout. Please refer to the Introduction on page 5 and the Lesson Outline on page 6 of the Lesson document for pacing. There is a quiz on the last slide, which you may hold and use the next class period if you run out of time.
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3. What does ADA mean? ADA stands for “Americans with Disabilities Act”
It was created in 1990
The ADA Standards for commercial architectural design standards were put into effect in 1991
The ADA standards are a federally mandated code of construction regulations
All commercial buildings are affected by this code of standards
The ADA standards can apply to residential design when a physically disabled individual is involved
ADA stands for “Americans with Disabilities Act”. It was created in 1990 by the United States Department of Justice in order to help eliminate discrimination on the basis of physical disabilities in all structures built for public access. It has applications for both existing structures undergoing renovations as well as new construction. Though the focus is primarily commercial buildings, the principles of spatial accommodations carry over to specialized residential construction or renovation. Both HTML as well as PDF forms are available online. This is a federal document, so printed copies are also available.
Please make sure you have familiarized yourself with this document prior to beginning the lesson (as stated on page three of the lesson document). Students are going to process only a small portion of this lengthy regulatory code. Students are not expected to master the entire document - rather to get a general awareness of its existence and how it affects architectural design. Whether they are aware of ADA Standards or not, these spatial accommodations affect their every day lives everywhere they go.
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4. What do you see?
On the left is a small, typical residential bathroom plan design; there is nothing fancy or special. On the right is a modified bathroom plan design with accommodations made for someone that is wheelchair-bound. Note the 60” diameter turn around area. Guide the students in a class discussion, and find all the differences between the 2 plans.
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5. What do you see? (Con’t)
On the left is a sample of a residential bedroom, closet, and hallway design. On the right is a modified design with accommodations made for someone that is wheelchair-bound. Note the 60” diameter turn around areas in both the bedroom and the closet. Guide the students in a class discussion, and find all the differences between the 2 plans.
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6. Independent Work Time
Now it’s YOUR turn to review the ADA Standards and begin a new design!
On your handout, you will find a message from your new client.
Review the ADA Standards
Sketch out a plan for a house for this client, based on his unique spatial accommodation requests
Permit students some time to draw a rough plan for a house based on the client’s needs. Give them ample time to reference the ADA Standards.
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7. Pair and Share
Show your partner your design, and tell them why you drew it the way you did. Discuss the ADA standards for spatial accommodations that apply
Permit students some time to pair with a partner and share their ideas.
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8. Pop Quiz – Write your answers on the back of your Handout
What does ADA stand for?
Who wrote it and maintains it?
Is this federal or municipal law?
How do ADA Standards affect architectural design?
Do all residential structures have to enforce these standards?
This Pop quiz can be administered the next class day if you ran out of time on the day of the lesson.
Answers to the Pop quiz:
Americans with Disabilities Act
United States Department of Justice
Federal
Spatial accommodations
No (only commercial have to)
On a 100 point scale, this 5 question quiz gives 20 points for each correct answer.
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