Edward Steinfeld

May 21-23, 2024, we were fortunate enough to have the visit of world-renowned researcher Edward Steinfeld. Steinfeld, an architect and gerontologist with a special interest in universal design and accessibility, is one of the most recognized and well-known scholars of universal design.

Accompanied by Politiken journalist Helene Namme, Steinfeld and Camilla Ryhl, Research Director at the Bevica Foundation, visited urban spaces in Copenhagen to talk about the challenges and barriers that exist for people with many different body types and functional abilities to live in and use the city on equal terms.

The conversation also extended to good examples and solution models from other countries that Steinfeld has visited and studied during her 48-year research career. Steinfelds had been invited to Denmark to hold a master class for the Bevica Foundation's interdisciplinary research network.

At a networking meeting at Musholm in Korsor, he gave a presentation on Universal Design, especially focusing on how to interpret and apply the 8 goals of Universal Design in practice. He then participated in a Q&A session with the network's researchers, where they had the opportunity to elaborate and inquire about his work, methods and career in Universal Design.

Facts about Edward Steinfeld

Edward Steinfeld, ArchD, AIA, Professor of Architecture and Director of the IDEA Center.

Steinfeld is an architect and gerontologist with special interests in universal design and accessibility. He is one of the most respected researchers in the field of universal design that he has focused on throughout his long and successful career.

Edward Steinfeld, who helped formulate the Seven Principles of Universal Design (1997), along with his colleague Jordana Maisel, has worked extensively on the use and interpretation of the term. Steinfeld and Maisel formulated a definition of universal design which emphasizes process and inclusion as goals. In their further development of Universal Design, Steinfeld and Maisel, as you know, have also introduced 'The 8 Goals of Universal Design'. The objectives are a further development of the concept and focus on social aspects of inclusion.

“An interdisciplinary research network focused on Universal Design is almost a Utopia”

During Edward Steinfeld's visit, we also got to talk to him about what he believes is the potential for an interdisciplinary research network focused on Universal Design. You can see the result in this small video.