Winning designs to improve the Grafton Street and similar urban and retail areas in Ireland.
Even in severe winter conditions, Julia Cassim (facilitator) noted that “the 24 Hour Universal Design Challenge format always delivers”. James Hubbard (director) added, “with another successful challenge, following on from 2009 we have over 100 design challenge participants excited to have been through the intense and immersive 24 hour format likely to embed Universal Deign in their future work.
Of the 5 teams that competed through the night, Team A, 'The A-Team' won the Judges’ Choice Award for their “Grafton St. Service Plus” proposal for a way to inform shop personnel that a customer may require special assistance. Re Dubhtaigh lead his team with advice from Design Partner Ann Marie to develop a smart card based discreet alert system of customer care embedded with a rigorous staff training component.
The judges stated that the Grafton St. Service Plus design is
“Genuinely universal to cover the personal preferences of everyone using the system in a very sensitive way to improve customer and shop staff relationships. It is readily implementable and will surely reduce anxiety and increase confidence for anyone needing a little extra assistance."
Team A
The People’s Choice Award went to Team E for SOLAS, the System of ObeLisks for Accessible Streetscapes. The SOLAS project creates a network of aesthetically pleasing structures within the highly dense urban zone which not only combine necessary human services but also re-design these services to be accessible to the largest possible audience.
Team E
See more on the winning designs and the runners up