Frankfurt-based architect Ursula Fuss is very clear when it comes to the biggest pitfall of barrier-free building. ‘There is a prejudice that is deeply rooted in our society: that people with a different way of life – I am deliberately talking about ways of life and not about disabilities – are basically in need of help.’ This includes our ever increasing ageing population, but also those of us that solve different living challenges by themselves on a daily basis. The solution for Fuss: moving toward an inclusive approach to architecture and design on a basis of genuine interest and mutual dialogue. Where to start? By making sure planners consider their residents’ needs from the outset of a project and invest in research, smart technology, and a creative interpretation of the existing guidelines. In the 30 years that I have been doing this, I have witnessed certain changes in equality. But the whole issue of accessibility has only really developed since the UN Convention on the Rights…
