Elusive Users: The Presence of Physically Disabled Users within Architectural Design Processes

This paper is based on 8 months of sociological participatory fieldwork at the office Gottlieb Paludan Architects, following design process a new concourse area for Ny Ellebjerg Station in Copenhagen, Denmark. The study aims to trace what presence users with physical disabilities possessed during which they were not physically present or explicitly involved. bases its findings visual material produced by employees Architects as well thoughts and discussions practitioners. Drawing actor-network theory, describes analyses these human non-human actors constitute contribute process. finds that within through an implicit generalized explicit required presence. Generalized refers those instances where architectural qualities strived project implicitly aligned needs disabilities. Required accessibility demands from client guidelines building regulations played important role.