Vida Independente. Boas práticas para uma arquitetura inclusiva e adaptável no contexto habitacional

Abstract

The present dissertation is developed within the scope of the research work Independent Living Design, ongoing in the Centro de Estudos de Arquitetura e Urbanismo (CEAU) and integrated in Projeto de Investigação Centro de Apoio à Vida Independente (ICAVI), which aims to assist and evaluate the development of Centro de Apoio à Vida Independente (CAVI) from Associação Portuguesa de Neuromuscular (APN). The dissertation is divided in two main parts. In the first chapter, some historical context and terminology of Independent Living is discussed, exposing its origins, journey, challenges and important associated terms. In the second half, the progression of the adaptation of architecture to the diversity of the human body and the accessibility and independence in the context of housing is examined. The second chapter also revisits the topic of the research work Independent Living Design, ongoing in CEAU, which aims to create a checklist destined to the residents (as a reminder of the guidelines) with the main considerations when adapting a house, its detail depending on their needs and means, in a succinct and practical format, and with the objective of being distributed in centers as CAVI. In the framework of research, the second chapter proposes an alternative checklist based on a rigorous and in-depth study, with the objective of updating and validating this tool in a scientific and well-founded manner. The research explores the role of architecture, focusing on housing, as a promoter of independence and social inclusion. It highlights the importance of optimizing the accessibility to reinforce the autonomy of people with restricted mobility, and to reduce their dependence on institutions and families. Therefore, the present work seeks to develop a deep understanding of the Independent Living philosophy and gather some architectural guidelines for the project and intervention in inclusive and efficient housing environments. During the theoretical discussion, the idea that the disability resides in the individual is questioned, when in truth it is the own architecture that is incapable of meeting their needs. Thus, it is brought to our attention the importance of adopting best practices through a interdisciplinary approach, one that promotes not only the change when designing, but also in the social awareness, and of the systems responsible for the built environment: the Inclusive Design. This approach is based on the ideas of "living in place" and "friendly living", incorporating principles of flexibility and long-term adaptability in housing, contributing to a more fair, more durable and sustainable architecture.