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Research and shared best practice are important to us. We publish our own reports, and we are proud of our history of collaboration in report writing with like-minded practices, many of which have been highly influential. From its beginnings in 1994, DBA has contributed to inclusive design guidance publications ranging from local authorities like City of London to design institutions like the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and the British Standards Institute (BSI). The most recent was our publication in 2022 for Crowood Press.

 

Please be aware that some of these documents may have been superseded by more recent guidance.

Our Publications:

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Inclusive Design for Historic Buildings
Architectural Approaches to Accessibility

 

Date: 2021 

Publisher: The Crowood Press

Historic-listed buildings continue to be enjoyed in the UK as places of work, education, entertainment, worship, and more. However, in order to retain and enhance their value to society, they must function inclusively and provide easier access for disabled visitors. Inclusive Design for Historic Buildings explores how this challenging ambition can be reconciled with the long-standing objectives of building conservation. Experienced Access Consultant David Bonnett clearly sets out the qualifying elements for inclusivity and explores the architectural methods available, identifying five key typologies. Over twenty-five case studies are examined in-depth, each illustrating a successful solution.

Topics covered include:

  • the history of inclusive legislation

  • access auditing

  • working on-site and on-plan

  • consultation with disabled clients

  • creative problem-solving skills

  • social dynamics of the future.
     

Inclusive design is now a fundamental consideration whenever a historic building is being adapted, upgraded, or remodeled. This book will be of great value to students and practitioners alike, as well as all creative professionals working in the built environment. It should inspire those responsible for historic buildings to prepare demanding briefs when considering change.

By David Bonnett and Pauline Nee

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Royal Docks design guide:
Accessibility & inclusive design

Date: 2020

Publisher: Royal Docks

A landscape that's a joy to explore and that has everything you need. A place where natural beauty and historic artefacts are thoughtfully highlighted, and where every route is accessible, intuitive and suitably lit. This was the vision for the public realm and landscape in the Royal Docks, and four Design Guides were published that set out a detailed code for how to achieve this.

The Royal Docks was once a place united by a singular purpose as London’s largest port. Vast tracts of water where ships unloaded their cargo remain at its heart. But the Royal Docks’ purpose has changed. Now, the land around the docks is home or workplace to thousands of people, and a spot to relax, swim or visit for thousands more.

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Inclusive Urban Design: A guide to creating accessible public spaces

Date: 2013 

Publisher: BSI, CAE

This guide addresses how our public spaces, streets, and pathways can be inclusively designed to match the significant advances made in the last three decades regarding our buildings and our transport infrastructure.

The guide is seen as an essential reference for designers and also for local authorities seeking a one-stop-shop document suitable as a reference when drafting their local plan and other policy documents. 

Drawing on the established language of planners, architects, landscape architects, urban designers and highway engineers, the guide applies an overlay of inclusive design principles and provides a framework for their application and evaluation.

Publications Contributed to by DBA:

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Applying inclusive design principles to eco-town development: eco-towns inclusive worksheet

Date: 2009

Publisher: Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)

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Wheelchair accessible housing: Designing homes that can be easily adapted for residents who are wheelchair users

Date: 2007 

Publisher: Greater London Authority

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Open for Business: Creating a barrier-free customer experience

Date: 2005

Publisher: Employers' forum on disability

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Customer access; Policy, technical aids and buildings: The 'Triple Audit'

Date: 2000

Publisher: Employers' forum on disability

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Care home placement: Care or accommodation determined?

Date: 1998

Publisher: JRF with City of York Council

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Lifetime homes "Perception" project: Residents' perception of lifetime homes

Date: 1996

Publisher: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

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Access to the workplace: a guide for employers 

Publisher: Employers' Forum on Disability with The Bucknall Group

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Making existing buildings accessible:
Museums and art galleries

Date: 2007

Publisher: CAE and RIBA Publishing

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Design and access statements: How to write, read and use them

Date: 2006

Publisher: CABE

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Open for Business: Taking the risk our of 2004

Date: 2004

Publisher: Employers' forum on disability

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Accessible thresholds in new housing: Guidance for house builders and designers

Date: 1999

Publisher: The Stationary Office

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Designing an accessible city: Guidelines for an accessible built environment for disabled people in the City of London

Date: 1998

Publisher: Corporation of London

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Housing for people with disabilities: A design guide

Date: 1986

Publisher: London Borough of Islington Architects Department

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Shared ownership, Lifetime homes: Making it work

Publisher: The Shared Ownership Lifetimes Homes Group

Relevant Publications:

There is now significantly more guidance relating to inclusive design available than there was when the Disability Discrimination Act was passed in 1995.  Listed here are some that we have found useful alongside keeping up to date with the latest standards and innovations within the field. 

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Access to and use of buildings: Approved document M

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Inclusive design standards: London Legacy Development Corporation

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Easy access to historic landscapes

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Easy access to historic buildings

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Lifetime homes design guide

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The access audit handbook: An inclusive approach to auditing buildings

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Wheelchair housing design guide

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Designing an accessible city: Guidelines for an accessible built environment for all in the City of London

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Easy access to historic buildings

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The Accessible Office: Designing the inclusive workforce

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The colour, light and contrast manual: Designing and managing inclusive built environments

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Sign design guide: A guide to inclusive signage

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