Designing Spaces That Work for Everyone
Architecture shapes how people experience the world around them. At Elevatus, every day, we design spaces where people learn, work, gather, heal, and connect. As architects, one of our responsibilities is ensuring those spaces are welcoming, functional, and accessible to the people who use them.
That commitment was the focus of a recent Lunch & Learn with Luke Labas from The League for the Blind and Disabled. Drawing from his experience as a wheelchair user and disability advocate, Luke shared insights on Universal Design and challenged our team to think beyond minimum accessibility requirements.
So what is Universal Design? At its core, it’s a design philosophy that seeks to make environments usable by the widest range of people possible. It challenges designers to think beyond compliance standards and instead consider how people experience a space, from arrival and wayfinding to communication, comfort, and independence.
Throughout the discussion, Luke shared practical examples of how seemingly small design decisions can have a significant impact on daily life. He described arriving at buildings where automatic door controls are positioned on the right side of an entry, despite having limited use of his right arm and relying on his left hand to activate them. What may seem like a minor detail can create an unnecessary challenge before someone ever enters a building.
He also discussed facilities that require users to activate multiple automatic doors in sequence, forcing wheelchair users to stop, reposition, and repeat the process. In contrast, some newer buildings allow a single button to open multiple sets of doors, creating a smoother and more accessible experience.
Another example came from a visit to a healthcare provider, where Luke was handed paperwork to complete at a reception counter that was difficult for him to reach from his wheelchair. The interaction highlighted how accessibility extends beyond major building features and into everyday moments that can either support or hinder a person’s independence.
Beyond individual features, Luke encouraged us to think about the complete user journey. He shared examples ranging from reception areas and restrooms to wayfinding, lighting, and thoughtful circulation. His message was clear: accessibility is not a single design element. It’s the cumulative experience of moving through a building.
Throughout the presentation, Luke returned to the ideas of participation, dignity, and choice. He challenged us to consider how even well-intentioned design decisions can unintentionally create barriers and reminded us that accessibility is ultimately about creating opportunities for people to fully participate in their communities.
Luke also shared a perspective that many people may not immediately consider: disability is a natural part of the human experience. Whether through aging, injury, illness, or other life circumstances, accessibility has the potential to impact all of us at some point. That reminder reinforced why thoughtful, inclusive design benefits far more people than we often realize.
We are grateful to Luke for sharing his perspective, expertise, and experiences with our team. Conversations like these help us become better listeners, better designers, and stronger advocates for creating spaces that serve everyone.
