Universal Design Studio●Outline
In Universal Design Studio, aimed at a variety of “people” (who use buildings),
verification experiments for “Universal Designs” and “Barrierfree Designs” largely
concerned with people’s residence and living, simulation experiments concerned withthe safety in using buildings, for example, “countermeasure against accidents in thebuilding” or “safe evacuation in an emergency,” are conducted.
The experiment on an appropriate height of rise of a step (Photo 2), which is aimed atelementary students, the verification experiment on a toilet booth corresponding to auser with the baby (Photo 3), and the simulation experiment on the evacuation activity
in an emergency (e.g. fire) which intends to control a crowd (Photo 4-left) have been
conducted. In addition, experiments on driving safety of a wheelchair, and motion
analyses, such as standing up in taking a bath or using a toilet, aimed at elderly
people, are also conducted (Photo 4-right).

（Photo 3）Verification experiment on a toilet booth（Photo 1）Universal Design Studio（Photo 2）Experiment on an appropriate
height of rise of a step

23 Universal Design Studio（Photo 4-left）Verification for evacuation
activity in emergency（Photo 4-right）Verification experiment forstanding up

[Steps]
A ceiling prepared forsetting lightings andcameras as alaboratory space.
Stair-handrails partly
arranged.

[Kinesthetic Sense Measurement
Room]
Data about postural stabilities
and rollover impact are
acquirable by a force-plate.

[Spatial Behavior Measurement
Room]
Range of body action and reachof upper limb in an architectural
space are obtainable by retrieving
human’s action as 3D coordinate
data.

１

[Multi-purpose Toilets]
Multi-purpose toilet based on
the concept of Universal
Design. It can be used as alaboratory space.

23 Universal Design Studio[Body And Motion
Measurement Room]The room is absolutely
necessary for human-factor
engineering experiments,
such as measurement of
human bodies or movement
function.

階[Hallway]
Stair-handrails are installedso as to be utilized as
spaces for walking
experiments with using ahandrail.

２[Space Study Laboratory]
Utilized for mainly tests of the measurement of actions in a unit
space, such as toilet, the calculation of spatial dimension
required for the action, and the consideration of places toarrange handrails etc. As an example of supposed results, fordimensions and places of the equipment paying attention tophysical characteristics of building users, the reference data
are indicated with a range for each property.

[Motion Analysis Room]The room for experiments requiring a large spatial scale asfollows; an experiment which intends to control a crowd; on a
feeling of volume such as a ceiling height; for wheel chairs or
walking. As an example of the supposed results, with respect
to the crowd behavior experiment, it is possible to research theconsiderations of a walking speed in a case where the old andthe wheelchair users exist together, and the prevention ofwheelchairs’ accidents at slopes.

23 Universal Design Studio階[Presentation Meeting Room]Functions as a main base of
seminars or cooperative
researches, and a presentation
room when the facility opens to
the public.

●Experimental Equipment
Variable Slope Deck
This deck can be set up to about 8
m in length, 2.5 m in width and atinclines of 50 degrees in a non-stepmanner. Finishing materials,
including pavers, are laid and theload is designed such that a person
can safely ride on it.
Also can be applied as an apparatus
for stairs-tests by putting a stairtread on the apparatus.

Suspended Up-and-down
Ceiling Apparatus

Cradle for Kinesthetic
Sense Test

This baton can suspend a load up to

Human power generated by
activities of daily life, etc.
(exert force) is obtainable inaddition to time data byarranging a force-platemeasurement system on
the cradle.

1 ton.
Measures 3D position of a tagged
person with an ultrasonic reader set
in Motion Analysis Room. Tags canbe used up to 50.
Ultrasonic 3D Action Chasing
System

Employing VR Technique in Spatial Behavior Measurement Room
In Spatial Behavior Measurement Room, a “motion-capture camera” and a“force-plate” are arranged. These apparatuses are made for analyzing
human’s posture or 3D motions by applying VR (virtual reality) technique,often used in movies, etc. For example, the data obtained by theseapparatuses are expected to be useful to develop bathtubs which meet theneeds, such as prevention of drowning or ease of stepping over, and todesign a toilet space suitable for assistance by analyzing 3D motions
which were difficult to be recognized.

23 Universal Design Studio23 Universal Design Studio