Core curriculum topic: Inclusive environments

To help you gain the skills you need to practise architecture now and in the future as a RIBA Chartered Member, we have defined 10 mandatory core curriculum topics to address through CPD.

The topic Inclusive environments covers the legislation and principles that apply to creating inclusive environments which meet the diverse needs of the people who want to use them. It also covers having the knowledge and skills to develop and implement inclusive design strategies and methods at all spatial scales.

Inclusive environments

This competency potentially covers:

The five principles of inclusive design (Design Council CABE) http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/inclusive-environments

Diversity and difference, placing people at the heart of the design process
Offer choice when a single design solution cannot accommodate all users
Provision of flexibility in use
Communities that offer plenty of services, facilities and open space
Buildings and environments that are convenient and enjoyable for everyone to use

Four principles of an inclusive environment for built environment professionals from the Construction Industry Council

Buildings, places and spaces that can be used easily, safely, and with dignity, by all of us, regardless of age, disability or gender
Provides choice, is convenient and avoids unnecessary effort, separation or segregation
Goes beyond meeting minimum standards or legislative requirements
Recognises that we all benefit from improved accessibility

Legislation, regulations and best practice: understanding of

The Equality Act 2010
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO)
Special Educational and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA)
The 12 protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act
Building regulations, including Approved Document M, K and B
British Standards: BS 8300: 2009 + A1: 2010, 9999:2016 and BS9266:2013
Design standards and policy
Principal guidance standards
National Planning Policy Frameworks and SPG’s
Fire safety strategy and legislation

Planning and placemaking: understanding of (and see also Places, Planning and Communities topic)

Equality and inclusion in placemaking
Accessible pedestrian environments and routes
Consultation of user groups
Design reviews and appraisal
Community consultation and engagement and working with user groups
Support for planning, including access statements
Accessible neighbourhoods, homes for life, wheelchair and specialist
Creation of safe places in which to play, socialise and participate
Creation of green spaces in proximity to where people live
Equitable placemaking, shaped by and for diverse communities

LLDC inclusive design strategy for the 2012 London Olympics

Planning neighbourhoods with facilities that allow a wide range of disabled and older people to live independently within a community
Social infrastructure that provide places for everyone to meet
Housing that caters to changing needs over a person’s lifetime
Suitable homes for wheelchair users that allow people, their equipment and their families to live together as a part of the community
Providing larger and affordable homes that can help create mixed, sustainable neighbourhoods
Accessible pedestrian routes designed to minimise travel distances
Accessible public toilets with separate baby changing facilities allowing all users to participate fully in community life
Street furniture that is positioned to create a feeling of confidence and security to allow especially people who have dementia or Alzheimer’s to move around confidently and independently
Designing out crime by creating public spaces that are overlooked and less isolated
External environments that ensure wayfinding for all

Buildings and places in use: understanding of:

Inclusive lighting design
Accessible information
Accessible bathrooms
Wayfinding and signage
Refurbishment of historic and listed buildings and access
Analysis of the building management policies against legislative requirements
Different buildings and their uses and users
Using plans and understanding building access
Special issues for fire, security and egress

Detail design

The use of colour and contrast and understanding Light Reflectance Values (LRV’s)
Acoustics and sound enhancement
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
Doors and ironmongery, receptions and other fixed furniture
Relevant product specification
Lifts, sizing and suitability
Accessible bedrooms (hotels and student accommodation)
Changing places
Sanitary and change facilities
Kitchens
Wayfinding, signage and communications

Understanding all users, and the nine protected characteristics with particular reference to people with disabilities

Designing for diverse community, age, gender, religion, race …
Designing for those with multiple or profound needs
Designing for an aging population
Designing for dementia
Cognitive accessibility
Designing for those with sensory impairments (people with hearing impairments and who are deaf and those with visual impairments or blind).
Designing for those with physical limitations, dexterity, ambulant disabilities and wheelchair users

Access statements and strategies

Understanding, writing and implementing access statements
Access statements and strategies and how to write them
Access auditing and the Equality Act
Access audits of existing schemes audit of existing premises
Design reviews of schemes

Find CPD on this topic

You must take two hours of CPD on this topic every year.

Find RIBA accredited CPD on Inclusive design through RIBA Academy.

Related courses include:

Podcasts, videos, articles, and other offers can also contribute towards your CPD requirements.