SARA ISLIM TOMCZAK 

• What is your profession?

Chartered Architectural Technologist 

 

• What is your role within the office?

I’m a senior Lecturer and get commissioned to do site surveys and check regulations on buildings. Have worked in the industry for over 15 years.

 

• Do you find that although retail design has evolved over the years it takes into account DDA?

It isn’t just retail where Part M and Part K are not applied to, it’s everywhere. I think some retail establishments overlook the disabled and impaired and it’s not inclusive design. I think DDA regulations are applied to the very minimum, so that a design can be passed and a project can be built.

 

• Has DDA evolved along with retail design or as its place within design never changed?

DDA has evolved in itself, regulations keep changing and are constantly amended, a good example of this is the application of some of the Part M regulations being moved over to Park K regarding ramps and access. So regulations are constantly changing and evolving. However I think that within design, although it is meant to be inclusive, I think that it is designed exclusively and then DDA is applied. 

 

• Do you find part M of the building regulation a hindrance?

I think people / designers find it a hindrance because lack of space and trying to make everything work. I pride myself in applying Part M and Part K of the regulations as they are very important to making all designs work for all public users.

 

• Do you think that the design process should change to be more focused on disability and the factors affecting it in within retail design?

I think designers should be more open and considerate to the difficulties the disabled and impaired face when accessing public buildings and their experience in the retail world. The experience is meant to be immersive for all users and consumers. But at the moment when designing people only think of the able bodied person.

 

• When designing do you find that DDA is an afterthought and is often applied at the end of the design process?

When I look at buildings and do site surveys to make sure design comply with regulation, I find it is an afterthought. A prime example of this is the university and the design within Newton and Arkwright. The university is a grand organisation and some of the design implementations are horrendous. I find it difficult to understand. Everything is very mono-tonal and there aren’t any contrasting colours in the hallways to differentiate different aspects of the building. DDA access within the building for those who are in wheelchairs is limited and this is a restriction as we should offer them the same opportunities as those who are mobile.

 

• Do you think that when designing public spaces disability and should be placed at the forefront of our minds as opposed to being a set of regulations that we as designers follow?

I think it would be nice however doubt it will happen. I do believe designers should be more aware of the disabled consumer and user.

 

• Does colour play a part in the design process, and are you mindful that people with different disabilities see colour and react to it differently?

Definitely, especially for the visually impaired. Contrasting colours are definitely important.

 

• How do you think disability could be better included when designing for retail?

I think retail could adapt more to the impaired and disabled user, I think more could be done to make them feel included and not different from other mobile users.