Disability, Space, Architecture

DISABILITY, SPACE, ARCHITECTURE

Disability, Space, Architecture: A Reader takes a groundbreaking approach to exploring the

interconnections between disability, architecture and cities. The contributions come from

architecture, geography, anthropology, health studies, English language and literature,

rhetoric and composition, art history, disability studies and disability arts and cover

personal, theoretical and innovative ideas and work.

Richer approaches to disability – beyond regulation and design guidance – remain

fragmented and difficult to find for architectural and built environment students, educators

and professionals. By bringing together in one place some seminal texts and projects, as well as

newly commissioned writings, readers can engage with disability in unexpected and exciting

ways that can vibrantly inform their understandings of architecture and urban design.

Most crucially, Disability, Space, Architecture: A Reader opens up not just disability but also

ability – dis/ability – as a means of refusing the normalisation of only particular kinds of

bodies in the design of built space. It reveals how our everyday social attitudes and practices

about people, objects and spaces can be better understood through the lens of disability,

and it suggests how thinking differently about dis/ability can enable innovative and new

kinds of critical and creative architectural and urban design education and practice.

Jos Boys trained in architecture and has worked as a journalist, researcher, academic and

community-based practitioner. As a non-disabled person she is particularly interested in

how architects and other built environment professionals can act creatively and responsively

as designers and policy-makers without misrepresenting or marginalising disabled people.

Her previous book, Doing Disability Differently: An Alternative Handbook on Architecture,

Dis/ability and Designing for Everyday Life, grew out of a series of collaborations between

disabled artists and architects, through a group she co-founded called Architecture-Inside

Out. Previously Jos has written extensively about feminism and architecture. She was co-

founder of Matrix, a feminist architectural design and research practice, and has been a

member of the TakingPlace art and architecture collective.

‘This diverse collection of essays proposes creative and critical ways of engaging in

disability studies within the field of architecture. From rethinking technologies and

design practices to reframing dis/ability across the theoretical and historical discourses

of architecture, it challenges dominant assumptions about the embodied occupation

of designed environments. Instead of simply framing disability as a problem to be

solved by way of regulations and universal spatial solutions, embodied dis/abilities

are explored as opportunities rather than impediments to design thinking and socio-

spatial awareness.’

— Dr Hélène Frichot, KTH (Royal Institute of Technology), Sweden

‘Disability, Space, Architecture: A Reader is a critical and thought provoking collection

of essays broadening the potential of dis/ability studies for designers, educators

and academics. Seeking to radically relocate disability front and center within

architectural discourse, the Reader positions disability as a transformative place to

design and educate from. For the built environment to become more responsive

and inclusive, we must not only acknowledge but also conceptualize differently

the relationship between heterogeneous bodies and space as far more complex and

intersectional, providing a trove of under examined spatial potential.’

— Lori A. Brown, Professor, School of Architecture, Syracuse University, USA

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FAQs of Disability, Space, Architecture

What themes are explored in Disability, Space, Architecture: A Reader?

Disability, Space, Architecture: A Reader delves into themes of inclusivity, the intersection of disability with architectural design, and the social attitudes that shape our built environments. The essays challenge the notion of disability as merely a problem to be solved, instead presenting it as a critical lens through which to understand and innovate architectural practices. The collection emphasizes the need for a more nuanced understanding of how diverse bodies interact with space, advocating for designs that are responsive to the complexities of human experience.

Who is the editor of Disability, Space, Architecture: A Reader?

The editor of Disability, Space, Architecture: A Reader is Jos Boys, a trained architect and advocate for inclusive design. Boys has a rich background in journalism, research, and community-based practice, focusing on how built environment professionals can engage with disability without marginalizing disabled voices. Her previous work, Doing Disability Differently, laid the groundwork for this collection, showcasing her commitment to integrating disability studies into architectural discourse.

How does this reader propose to change architectural practices?

The reader proposes to change architectural practices by positioning disability as a transformative element in design and education. It encourages architects and designers to rethink their approaches, moving away from standard regulations and towards a more inclusive understanding of diverse bodies. By framing disability as an opportunity for creative solutions, the essays advocate for a shift in how built environments are conceptualized, aiming for designs that are not only functional but also socially aware and responsive.

What is the significance of the contributions from various disciplines in this collection?

The significance of contributions from various disciplines lies in their ability to enrich the discourse on disability and architecture. By incorporating perspectives from anthropology, geography, and health studies, the reader presents a multifaceted view of how disability intersects with urban design. This interdisciplinary approach fosters a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in creating inclusive spaces, encouraging architects and educators to draw from a broader range of ideas and practices in their work.