Architecture's Disability Problem explores the intersection of architecture and disability in the United States from the perspective of professional practice. This book uncovers why, despite the profound effect of the Americans with Disabilities Act on the architectural profession, there has been so little interest in design for disability in mainstream architecture. To counter this, the book investigates alternative approaches to designing with disability, through three case studies. These showcase both buildings and how design processes driven by disabled people shape design and professional roles.
Combining historical research, formal and discourse analysis, and interviews with people who design, construct, use buildings, and advocate for access, the book develops a social understanding of how the buildings work at functional, affective, and symbolic levels. Architecture's Disability Problem is aimed at three primary readers: practicing architects, architectural scholars, and members of disability scholar-activist communities. Grounded in detailed design studies, the author hopes to unearth the social meaning-making of architecture related to disability. Ultimately, the book makes an argument for a focus on disability in its own right-as well as on the body-in place of the dominance of formal, object-oriented approaches.
This book presents and argues for a fundamental shift in the way architectural education, policy, and practice views and engages with disability. It will be key reading for students, researchers, practitioners and policy-makers.
| ISBN: | 9780367641177 |
| Publication date: | 20th April 2026 |
| Author: | Wanda Katja Liebermann |
| Publisher: | Routledge an imprint of Taylor & Francis |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 258 pages |
| Series: | Routledge Research in Architecture |
| Genres: |
Architecture: professional practice Disability: social aspects Moral and social purpose of education Technical design Building construction and materials Architectural structure and design Sociology Architecture: interior design |
Architecture's Disability Problem explores the intersection of architecture and disability in the United States from the perspective of professional practice. This book uncovers why, despite the profound effect of the Americans with Disabilities Act on the architectural profession, there has been so little interest in design for disability in mainstream architecture. To counter this, the book investigates alternative approaches to designing with disability, through three case studies. These showcase both buildings and how design processes driven by disabled people shape design and professional roles.
Combining historical research, formal and discourse analysis, and interviews with people who design, construct, use buildings, and advocate for access, the book develops a social understanding of how the buildings work at functional, affective, and symbolic levels. Architecture's Disability Problem is aimed at three primary readers: practicing architects, architectural scholars, and members of disability scholar-activist communities. Grounded in detailed design studies, the author hopes to unearth the social meaning-making of architecture related to disability. Ultimately, the book makes an argument for a focus on disability in its own right-as well as on the body-in place of the dominance of formal, object-oriented approaches.
This book presents and argues for a fundamental shift in the way architectural education, policy, and practice views and engages with disability. It will be key reading for students, researchers, practitioners and policy-makers.
Architecture's Disability Problem features in the following genres: Architecture: professional practice, Disability: social aspects, Moral and social purpose of education, Technical design, Building construction and materials, Architectural structure and design, Sociology, Architecture: interior design
Architecture's Disability Problem is available in Paperback, Hardback
Architecture's Disability Problem was written by Wanda Katja Liebermann and published by Routledge an imprint of Taylor & Francis
Architecture's Disability Problem has 258 pages
Yes it is part of Routledge Research in Architecture series
£41.39