Case Report

Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients with Disabilities

Volume: 7 Number: 2 December 15, 2025

Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients with Disabilities

Abstract

Inclusive design in architecture considers the needs of people regardless of their disabilities and aims to create spaces that are accessible, usable, and dignified for all. With the growing concern for disabilities in the society, becoming increasingly important in architectural practice. Introducing inclusive design in architecture education may nurture future professionals with empathy and technical skill to respond sensitively to diverse needs, especially those with disabilities. This article reports a second year design studio which is usually dedicated for learning human factors and basics of architectural design principles. The project focused on designing homes for families with one member who was either visually impaired or wheelchair-bound. The project was exercised with design guidelines and codes, user engagement, hands on simulation and iterative design reviews. Throughout the process, especially user interaction and role playing exercise, students developed a deeper understanding of accessibility beyond technical standards. This experience can be useful for both professional field and studio pedagogy by promoting empathy-driven thinking, critical reflection, and user-centric design approaches.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Military Institute of Science and Technology

Project Number

NA

Ethical Statement

This is a design studio exercise. Ethical declaration is not applicable.

Thanks

The authors are grateful to Maj. Md. Raisul Mostafa Sajib who was involved in the studio, and to all the students participating in the course.

References

  1. Altay, B., & Demirkan, H. (2014). Inclusive design: Developing students’ knowledge and attitude through empathic modelling. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 18(2), 196–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2013.764933
  2. Benko, E., & Peršolja, M. (2023). Nursing students’ views of the impact of geriatric role-play workshops on professional competencies: Survey. BMC Nursing, 22(1), 203. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01373-y
  3. Bernardi, N., & Kowaltowski, D. C. (2010). When role playing is not enough: Improved universal design education. ArchNet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, 4(2/3), 376.
  4. Bindal, N. (2022). Experiential learning in design education: Teaching construction and technology through active experimentation in interior and architectural design. The International Journal of Design Education, 16(2), 91.
  5. Biswas, S. (2022). Teaching Ergonomics in the Online Studio. Journal of Design Studio, 4(2), 237–247. https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1183490
  6. Biswas, S., Kundu, G., & Imam, C. A. (2021). Learning Human Factors/Ergonomics (HFE) in Architectural Education: A Study of Studio Approach in Bangladesh. Creative Space, 9(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.15415/cs.2021.91003
  7. Biswas, S., & Saha, D. (2024). Students’ Perspective of Design Studio Assessment: An Experience in Bangladesh. Journal of Design Studio, 6(1), 81–97. https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1479771
  8. BNBC/MoHPW/GoB. (2021). Bangladesh National Building Code, BNBC. Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. http://www.dpp.gov.bd/upload_file/gazettes/39201_96302.pdf

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Architecture (Other), Design (Other)

Journal Section

Case Report

Early Pub Date

December 15, 2025

Publication Date

December 15, 2025

Submission Date

July 24, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 24, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 7 Number: 2

APA
Biswas, S., & Rahman, A. A. (2025). Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients with Disabilities. Journal of Design Studio, 7(2), 359-372. https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1746715
AMA
1.Biswas S, Rahman AA. Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients with Disabilities. JDS. 2025;7(2):359-372. doi:10.46474/jds.1746715
Chicago
Biswas, Sudipti, and Afeefa Adeeba Rahman. 2025. “Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients With Disabilities”. Journal of Design Studio 7 (2): 359-72. https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1746715.
EndNote
Biswas S, Rahman AA (December 1, 2025) Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients with Disabilities. Journal of Design Studio 7 2 359–372.
IEEE
[1]S. Biswas and A. A. Rahman, “Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients with Disabilities”, JDS, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 359–372, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.46474/jds.1746715.
ISNAD
Biswas, Sudipti - Rahman, Afeefa Adeeba. “Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients With Disabilities”. Journal of Design Studio 7/2 (December 1, 2025): 359-372. https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1746715.
JAMA
1.Biswas S, Rahman AA. Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients with Disabilities. JDS. 2025;7:359–372.
MLA
Biswas, Sudipti, and Afeefa Adeeba Rahman. “Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients With Disabilities”. Journal of Design Studio, vol. 7, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 359-72, doi:10.46474/jds.1746715.
Vancouver
1.Sudipti Biswas, Afeefa Adeeba Rahman. Learning Inclusive Design in the Studio: Residence for Clients with Disabilities. JDS. 2025 Dec. 1;7(2):359-72. doi:10.46474/jds.1746715

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