Buildings for everyone: Designing for access and usability

Find out what this guide is for and how to use it, and learn about universal design.

Understanding how users interact with the built environment is important for designing buildings that best meet the needs of all building users.

How building users travel to and from a building is important for the design of the site.

All building users are pedestrians at some point and need a well-designed, constructed and maintained external pedestrian environment.

Vehicle circulation routes should be logical, safe and easy to follow.

Design building entrances so that they are as easy to use as possible for a wide range of people.

Effective internal circulation is critical to the safe and easy movement of people around buildings.

Design interior spaces and facilities such as kitchens and toilets so they best meet the needs of users.

Design and place fixtures and fittings such as seating, switches, controls and sanitary fittings in toilets so that they are easily accessed and used.

Transport buildings, sports facilities, retail premises and historic buildings have particular issues affecting their use which need to be considered.

When designing a building and escape routes, consider how everyone can evacuate the building quickly and safely in an emergency.

An Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manual needs to be prepared to record information relevant to the use of the built environment.

Ensuring people with disabilities are provided for in public buildings, and what changes can be made.