Podcast #07 - Designing user-friendly buildings

The Seattle Public Library opened to much fanfare in 2004, designed by the famous architect Rem Koolhaas and his firm OMA. But, according to Future Cities Laboratory (FCL) researcher Dr Saskia Kuliga, some users soon reported difficulty navigating the building due to its design complexity. Some even reported panic attacks. According to Dr Kuliga, this failure is a ‘building usability error’ and illustrates the need for better integration of wayfinding and cognition research in the design profession.

Here in Singapore, the question of designing spaces for all users is particularly relevant, given the rapidly ageing population. The design of HDB, or public housing, and communities has evolved over the years. The recently designed Kampung Admiralty won numerous awards for its creative integration of green space, facilities for the elderly, and other amenities all within one building.

The question of how we design neighbourhoods for the elderly is also a question of how we design cities for all age groups and diverse populations. Not all residents have the same physical mobility of cognitive abilities, and thus their respective needs should be considered when we design buildings and also urban spaces.

Dr Kuliga was a postdoctoral researcher in the Cognition, Perception, and Behaviour in Urban Environments project at FCL and is curently an affiliate of the projcect.