Integrating Accessibility Assessment into Architectural Design: A Building Information Modeling (BIM) based Approach

Abstract

Accessibility is a critical component of inclusive architectural design, ensuring that built environments are usable and safe for individuals of all abilities. However, standards and guidelines for accessibility are considered as add-ons instead of integral design components, and the compliance checks tend to be laborious and inefficient. Building information modeling presents a suitable platform for embedding accessibility assessment early and consistently throughout the design lifecycle. Therefore, this study introduces a simulation system based on Building Information Modelling (BIM) for evaluating and visualising accessibility in architectural environments. A digital building model with distinct parameters such as circulation width, turning radius, ramp slopes, and spatial reachability, facilitating rule-based analysis of adherence to accessibility regulations is created. Following which, simulated movement trajectories for various user demographics, such as wheelchair users or individuals with restricted mobility, are simulated to identify areas that are hard to access, overcrowded, or poorly designed. This model would then be used to generate visual outputs such as spatial heatmaps and performance graphs, offering immediate feedback and design insights during the various design stages. The proposed methodology offers flexible implementation of different national or institutional accessibility regulations and standards. Hence, the use of this BIM-integrated approach would help architects and planners identify and fix potential barriers in designing spaces that are accessible to all, thereby enabling dignity, independence, and equitable participation, irrespective of physical ability.