Topic outline

  • General

    The course is an elective course (3 cr.), open to all student in Aalto, priority is given to Master’s level students . 

    Learning outcomes: 

    The course is related to Usability and Inclusive Design. Students learn basic knowledge about user-oriented and inclusive design through literature and experts' contribution. They will learn basic terminology related to Inclusive Design and user-oriented space design. Student will observe the built environment with respect to various user groups, looking e.g. at physical, visual, and sensory perception of the space. 
    The course is a lecture course, with participation of experts in inclusive design. It includes student group work and an observation and evaluation task of an existing building as well as personal reflections. The course will include working in multidisciplinary and multicultural team. Team working and communication skills are part of the learning outcomes. 

    Assignment 

    Team work in multidisciplinary teams, familiarization with related literature, analyses of a building focusing on the themes of the course. The group will first present their findings in literature, write a blog in the topic Just City (800 words) and finally document their analyses and observation in a final presentation. The assignment mode is free including drawings, or other visual presentation and text, video etc.

    Evaluation criteria: 

    attendance to course and active participation in teamwork

    Evaluation method:  

    presentations and peer evaluation 

    Schedule
    Time: Monday at 15.15 - 17.00
    Place: Deloitte U119, Otakaari 1

    08.01.2024 Introduction to the course, Ira Verma, Senior scientist, Department of Architecture, Aalto University

    15.01.2024 Site visit, 15.30 at Kamppi Center and Oodi Library together with Tapio Haanperä, accessibility specialist, The Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FAIDD).  

    22.01.2024 Groups 1 - 3, Student presentations (literature), comments 
    The Goals of Universal Design in an urban context, presentation by Sidse Grangaard, Senior researcher, architect, Aalborg University, Denmark 

    29.01.2024 Groups 4 - 6, Student presentations (literature), comments 
    Inclusive Architecture – a user-centered strategy, presentation by Karin Høyland, Senior researcher, architect, SINTEF, Norway 

    05.02.2024 Groups 7 - 9, Student presentations (literature), comments
    Visit with assistive devices in Otakaari 1, by The Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities 

    12.02.2024 “Gallery walk” exhibition of student works: Student group works and peer evaluation

    16.02.24 at 16.00 Deadline for Blog competition