Barrier free spaces mean spaces which are accessible to all irrespective of one’s
physical abilities. In this era of increasing social awareness, it has become extremely
important for Architects to design the spaces in such a way that they do not
discriminate with anybody. Spaces as well as the (building) elements associated
with them do need special focus while designing, so as to ensure that in
achieving the ‘barrier free’, the aesthetics are not compromised.
One of the most prominent building elements
in way of achieving barrier free environment ‘the Steps’, essential for
vertical movement they can’t be avoided. But making them accessible for all
requires interventions like ‘Ramps’. These are flat surfaces, angled at a
certain slope, integrated alongside steps in vertical movement spaces, so as to
allow movement of specially able people on their mechanical contraptions.
In public buildings due to government
norms, ramps are unavoidable nowadays. Still everybody is not too fond of
Ramps, because, one, they need more space then steps and two, to some extent
they are a visual obstruction for those who love steps. So, sometimes people conveniently
forget to allow barrier free environment in their (own) buildings.
What if we design barrier free steps
such as to avoid both aesthetic as well as space deterrence of ramps?
This post presents a concept for them, I call them ‘Slopey Steps’
They are an integration of steps and
slope to allow for equal opportunity for both elements. Main concern areas
while approaching this design concept were:
- Interchangeability
(from Steps to Ramp & vice versa)
- Mobility
- Aesthetic
value
- Durability
& Strength
Below are conceptual plan and
section of the Slopey Steps.
Additional points worth noting for further
development are:
- Need
of an easy locking mechanism to obstruct unwanted movement of the ramp element.
- Size
of ramp element to be kept in line with minimum space requirement for specially
able movement
- Space for keeping the removed ramp in steps
- Visual design of ramp surface and material variations therein.
