Picture: Leonardo Finotti

Written by Camilla Ghisleni | Translated by Diogo Simões

According to the United Nations (UN), over 1 billion people worldwide live with disabilities, whether physical or intellectual, with 80% residing in Global South countries. Despite advancements in their rights, they still encounter significant barriers and remain among the most marginalized in accessing essential services like healthcare, education, and employment. In this context, architecture is crucial for ensuring safety and spatial independence, enabling their full and effective participation in society.

Accessibility strategies are prominently featured in public buildings due to numerous regulations, but they are rarely applied in residential projects despite the growing elderly population and the increasing number of buildings that should consider this factor.

In the history of contemporary architecture, one of the most renowned residential projects is Maison Bordeaux, designed by Rem Koolhaas in 1998. The client, who had recently become paralyzed from the waist down, requested a dynamically designed home, stating, ‘Contrary to expectations, I want a complex house because it will define my world.’ The design features three interconnected volumes linked by a central elevator that facilitates movement between floors and serves as the client’s office, providing access throughout the entire house.

Read more via Archdaily.com