synergillc.com UNIVERSAL DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR FEATURE STAIRS Comprehensive best-practice design recommendations for universally-designed feature stairs that encourage stair use and foster inclusivity, contributing to the creation of built environments in which the most people can partici- pate and experience a sense of belonging. universal design guidelines for feature stairs 2 Curved stairs at the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts in Lubbock, Texas. 20223 synergillc.com Foreword Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Contents 04 10 16 26 40 52 Universal Design Philosophy The Interior Environment Structural Considerations Risers & Treads Stairway Walkability Stair Handrails universal design guidelines for feature stairsuniversal design guidelines for feature stairs 4 Foreword UNIVERSAL DESIGN PHILOSOPHY How a space is designed can raise or lower obstacles to the participation of our society within it. Everyone experiences a space differently; a design process that starts with seeing the diverse and wide range of human abilities and perspectives as a resource for better designs lowers these barriers through the creation of inclusive and universally accessible environments. Universal design (sometimes referred to as inclusive design or inclusivity) doesn’t mean making one solution for all people. It means considering and including people with a broad range of perspectives in the design process. To inspire the best possible design, it’s important to examine the experiences of people navigating surface level changes and understand the challenges or discomforts they face, what tools they use, and what strate- gies they employ to negotiate this important aspect of mobility. By designing to meet the needs and improve the experience of all people who wish to use any element of the built environ- ment, universal design reduces stigma and provides benefits for all users. This not only opens the built environment for broad use, but it also reflects how people really are, creating an environment in which the most people can participate and experience a sense of belonging.5 synergillc.com building and facilities managers, and anyone involved in designing and maintaining an inclusive built environment. The principles of universal design provide a strategy to improve stair visibility, accessibility, safety, and usability, improving the experience for those using the stairs and encouraging their use by the greatest number of people, creating a more inclusive and collaborative environment. It is our hope at Synergi that - with education and awareness - architects, designers, building owners, and developers will take interest in creating stairways that people are encouraged to use. The overarching goal of these guidelines is to facilitate communication and provide best practice recommenda- tions for the design of stairways that encourage the use of stairs - a step towards promoting universal design practices and fostering inclusivity in the built environment. This practical handbook sets out the design and specification principles of a universal design approach as they apply to steps and stairways. It is intended to be a resource for designers, devel- opers, building owners and occupiers, OUR OBJECTIVE6 Foreword|Universal Design Philosophy The guidelines provided here have taken into account people and characteristics traditionally underserved and overlooked by accessible design, such as people affected by short-term conditions and temporary disabilities, certain attires, various physical characteristics, the behavior of stair users, culture, religion, and language, among other considerations. Examples include the entire range - and especially the extremes - of the stature spectrum (whether tall or short, and including children), people with visual and hearing impairments, pregnant women, individuals walking with canes or crutches (whether for blindness, age, disability, or injury), those speaking a language other than English (including Braille), albinism (and others with sensitivity to light), parents with strollers, and any number of conditions or characteristics that can affect stepping and gazing patterns. A few examples of the kinds of temporary factors that might impact the ability to safely and comfortably navigate stairs include attire that impacts gait (such as high heels), modesty concerns when wearing dresses or skirts, and slippery conditions caused by rainwater or snow being tracked inside, among many others. Beyond the characteristics of individual stair users, these recommendations have also taken into account the behaviors of stair users that can distract the user’s attention away from the task of travelling up or down stairs, such as running, using electronic devices while navigating stairs, shifting attention to the surrounding environment, and traversing stairs while carrying heavy items. The contributions of the people who benefit the most from the modifica- tions instated by universal design are integral to a successful result. To inspire the best possible design, it’s important to examine the perspectives and experiences of the broadest range of users from the outset. So, who will benefit from stairways that incorporate universal design principles? WHO BENEFITS?universal design guidelines for feature stairs synergillc.com | 2022 People with Low Vision (PLV) One group of stair users often addressed in these guidelines and often particularly underserved in the built environment is people with low vision (PLV). As many as 1.3 billion people worldwide have low vision, a visual impairment attributed to a variety of diseases that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Unlike people who are blind, PLV have functional vision that they use extensively in daily activities. Studies have found surface level changes to be a source of uncer- tainty and even fear among those with visual impairment. Because PLV have usable vision and can therefore navigate using sight, many PLV avoid using nonvisual aids or abandon them altogether. Many PLV prefer not to use a cane, as these specialized tools often stigmatize users in social settings. This means mobility is both critical and especially challenging for people who have low vision. The Elderly Another group of stair users who can benefit from inclusive stair design is the elderly. The difficulty of navigating stairs due to conditions commonly experienced by the elderly – frailty and reduced mobility, impaired gait, impaired balance, and restriction of activity – has psychological, in addition to physical, effects. Fear of falling decreases stair negotiation which, in turn, leads to slower speed and an increased reliance on handrail support, particularly during stair descent. Please note: within this publication, the people navigating staircases are often referred to as stair users or, simply, users.8 Foreword|Universal Design Philosophy ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS Why can’t we let egress stairways address usability, and use the “feature” stairs for aesthetic appeal? It is our hope that with education and awareness on stair safety, architects and designers will take more interest in designing safer stairways that at the same time are attractive and innovative. These goals are not mutually exclusive. Universal design practices in stairs not only prevent hazards, but improve their visibility and usability, and improve the experience they provide for all users. Increasing awareness of misin- formed stairway design practices – whether unfriendly or unsafe – contributes to promoting the design of safer buildings that can be used by all people, creating a more inclusive built environment. The principles of universal design emphasize that while the aesthetic appeal of a design should be apparent for all stair users, it shouldn’t be prioritized beyond usability. Unfortunately, today’s stairway accidents, avoidance, and discomfort among users demonstrate that aesthetic triumphs in stairway design practices outweigh those that encourage comfortable and safe usage by the broadest audience. Aesthetics should extend to, but not outweigh, usability. 9 universal design guidelines for feature stairs synergillc.com | 2022 No matter their design, there will always be a need to provide alternatives to stairways to ensure indi- viduals can use facilities independently, meet the needs and preferences of all building users, and safeguard occupants in an emergency. Vertical circulation in a building comprises distinct compo- nents including stairs, ramps, lifts, platform lifts, and escalators. While each component provides a viable means of access between different levels within a multi-story building, a mix is required in order to meet the needs of all building users and to take account of different ages, sizes, condi- tions, and abilities. Universal design would not be successful if other users found its appearance to be stigmatizing, if it made the user look awkward, or if it attracted undesirable attention. Thus, measures made to increase usability of building elements in accordance with inclusive design philosophy - including the recommendations herein made - are especially imperative to integrate in the design of monumental staircases and other “feature” elements. Stairs are just one part of an integrated vertical circulation system. An integrated vertical circulation system that incorporates both stairs and elevators enhances accessibility for both ambulatory and mobility-challenged occupants. For example, during emergency evacuations small elevator cars in buildings may have reduced capacity or be prioritized for those who cannot use stairs. Buildings that integrate broadly inclusive feature stairs as a primary vertical pathway mean occupants will be more familiarized and likely to use stairs in the event of an emergency, leaving elevators more available and easily accessible to those who rely on their use. Well-designed circulation routes contribute to the creation of a logical building layout that is easy for everyone to understand and access. There is no “one size fits all” approach. The detailed guidance provided here is based on a best practice approach, extending beyond disability access matters to incorporate a universal design approach; however, it does not represent the only possible solution. There is no ‘one size fits all’ for stairways. Designers may come up with other ways to meet a diversity of users, and new materials and technologies that emerge may open up further possibilities for accommodating the diversity of the population. While the design philosophy of inclusivity cannot ultimately create products or environments that are fully usable by every person in the world, the design’s end users can certainly benefit from UD thinking.Next >