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Universal Design Awards

BCA UNIVERSAL DESIGN AWARDS FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

 

Introduction

The BCA Universal Design Awards was launched in 2007 to promote the adoption of Universal Design in the built environment and to raise awareness among owners, developers, designers and builders on incorporating user-friendly features at the onset of project conceptualization and design. The Award accords recognitions to organisations and individuals for their exemplary efforts in embracing Universal Design in their developments.


Entry criteria

The Competition is open to all owners, developers and professionals in creating an inclusive built- environment that could be used by all people. There is no restriction on the number of entries that each individual, firm or team can submit. The development must have obtained Temporary Occupation Permit/ Certificate of Statutory Completion and be occupied at the time of submission of entry to be deemed qualified for assessment. BCA reserves the right to disqualify any participating individual/ firm/ team.


Assessment criteria and scoring system

BCA Universal Design Awards evaluate a building for its features that benefit not only to special groups but everyone. Buildings are awarded the BCA Universal Design Awards based on seven key criteria:-

1

Connectivity

15 pts (10 pts only for Residential Buildings Category)

2

Accessibility

10 pts

3

User-Friendliness

40 pts

4

Safety

15 pts

5

Integrated Design

10 pts (15 pts for Residential Buildings Category)

6

Operations & Maintenance

10 pts

7

BONUS for Innovation and Enhancement

25 pts

Under the Universal Design Awards assessment system, points are awarded for incorporating Universal Design features, which are over and above Code-compliance and the normal practice. The total number of points obtained provides an indication of the inclusiveness of the building design. Buildings are awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze rating depending on the points scored.

All entries are grouped into one of the following six building categories:

  1. Commercial/ Mixed Use/ Industrial Buildings
  2. Institutional Buildings
  3. Residential Buildings
  4. Open Category
  5. Outdoor Spaces & Structures
  6. Refurbished Buildings


Assessment committee

All entries will be judged by an Assessment Committee comprising senior representatives from the following organizations and professionals in their own capacity:

  • Building and Construction Authority
  • Council for Third Age
  • Handicap Welfare Association
  • National University of Singapore
  • Real Estate Developers Association of Singapore
  • Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists
  • Singapore Institute of Architects
  • Society for the Physically Disabled


Applications and assessment process

Developers, building owners and government agencies are to submit an entry form to BCA to register their interest in participating in the BCA Universal Design Awards. Alternatively, applicants can log on to our new Friendly Built Environment Portal www.friendlybuildings.sg and submit the application through e-Entry. All submission requirements including the A3- sized report (max 15 pages), Universal Design Awards Accessibility Checklist and CD/DVD with clear sharp digital images at 300 dpi resolution, are to reach BCA by 1700hrs, 30 December 2011.

The assessors will evaluate all entries and shortlist them for site visits. The short-listed entrants will be required to make a presentation to the assessors on the outstanding and innovative Universal Design qualities of the submitted projects prior the walk-around conducted by the entrants.

For any clarifications on the BCA Universal Design Awards, please email BCA Universal Design Awards Secretariat at bca_bfa_upgrading@bca.gov.sg.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR BCA UNIVERSAL DESIGN AWARDS

Description

Part 1 : Connectivity 15 points (10 points only for Residential Buildings Category)

The degree to which the development is designed in a holistic manner to allow for seamless connection to public transport nodes, streets, sidewalks and adjacent buildings etc and seamless movement within the buildings with provisions such as wide circulation paths and doorways and access to all levels of building by ramps and/ accessible lifts and/ ambulant friendly stairs.

Part 2 : Accessibility 10 points

The availability and convenience of provisions such as safe and sheltered accessible alighting and boarding points, conspicuous accessible parking lots located near main or lift lobbies, family friendly facilities like family room, seats and child-friendly sanitary facilities and other amenities such as accessible information counter, friendly drinking fountain, vending machine, friendly multimedia kiosk, ATM, WiFi access, friendly directory, electric carts, AED (automated external defibrillator), PA system with induction loop.

Part 3 : User-Friendliness 40 points

The provision of signage and way finding cues such as audible information, tactile directional indicators and color or visual themes at main circulation spaces & leading to public transport nodes and UD facilities; and the degree to which the design of signage and way-finding cues are easy to read, understand and intuitive regardless of the users experience, knowledge, language skills or current concentration level.

Part 4 : Safety 15 points

The degree to which walking surfaces are made safe and secure with attention to details such as choice of materials, design without gratings, free of obstacles and dangerous overhangs, provision of adequate lighting and handrails/ trailing bars, contrasting colour and design clearly distinguishing floors and walls, stairs and landings and provision of tactile warning indicators near edge of potential hazardous areas.

Part 5 : Integrated Design 10 points (15 points for Residential Buildings Category)

The demonstration of total design approach for targeted user groups in the layout design and the integration of tastefully-designed and equitable use facilities and features with the overall architecture and interior design of the building.

Part 6 : Operations & Maintenance 10 points

The degree to which the organization is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive built environment through the establishment of corporate policy which is clearly communicated to employees, mandating regular inspections to ensure good working condition of facilities, equipping employees in Universal Design through training, and providing avenues for users to give feedback and authority for employees to render assistance to feedback givers.

GRAND TOTAL FOR PARTS 1-6 = 100 points

Part 7 : BONUS for Innovation and Enhancement 25 points

The provision of other new or innovative aging-in-place, pro-family and or employee-friendly UD facilities or features and accessible escape routes and systems for the physically challenged, such as Braille on stairs railings, rental of wheelchair, pram, accessibility scooters, etc; and the commitment and efforts of refurbished building owners in overcoming the challenges of existing constraints.

TOTAL FOR PART 7 = 25 points

* Points will be deducted for non-compliant and substandard provisions.

Right click here to download the BCA Universal Design Awards 2011/12 entry form.

Learning Points

The 'Learning Points' of the BCA Universal Design Awards for the Built Environment serves to highlight to the industry on the features that contributes to the user-friendliness of building facilities, and observations on areas which can be further improved. Through this, BCA hopes to inculcate in the industry stakeholders, a motto to design-for-all, so as to transform our built environment into one that is truly friendly to people of all ages and abilities. The points are compiled from the past 5 years award winners

Award winning features

 

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