Why measure up on universal design?

Kristoffer Negendahl from DTU Construct presents his work on universal design in construction. He examines how people use buildings, objects and solutions in practice, and why it is necessary to move away from the idea of an “average” user. With concrete examples — such as that a door can work for some, but not for all — he shows how fundamental design choices often exclude specific groups. At the same time, he points out that current legislation, such as fire regulations in Denmark, does not take into account persons with mobility impairments, and that therefore changes based on precise measurements and new knowledge are needed. The goal of his research is to create data and solutions that can raise the minimum requirements of construction, making the built environment more inclusive and sustainable for all.