Application of Universal Design principles in native longhouses of Sarawak
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THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL |
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Title :
Application of Universal Design Principles in Native Longhouses of Sarawak. |
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Author :
Khairul Aidil Azlin Abd. Rahman and Kerry Anak Jerome |
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Abstract:
Most research in universal design is concerned with the community of people that live in the urban and sub-urban public spaces. In the Malaysian state of Sarawak on Borneo Island many people in the interior live in the longhouses. They live in a large community within a single longhouse. It consists of approximately 40-46 families from infants to elderly people. Furthermore, elderly and disabled peopleare increasing in longhouses. The current spatial design problems limit the normal activities of their life. Today, gradually many new longhouses are being built for a better quality of life. However, the design of the new longhouses does not cater for all users’ conveniences. This study focuses on the application of the principles of universal design for the native longhouses of Sarawak but without changing the original design. The objective is to propose a design solution, improve comfort and accessibility for the disabled. It includes areas in longhouses such as tanju, ruai, room, roller and kitchen as well as possibilities of emergency exits. This paper aims to fill a lacuna of universal designawareness amongst the indigenous people. It is designed to cover the various spectrum of design specifications. It consists of a set of design recommendations for the future development of new longhouses in Sarawak.
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| DOI: XXXX |
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How to cite:
Khairul Aidil Azlin Abd. Rahman and Kerry Anak Jerome. (2007). Application of Universal Design Principles in Native Longhouses of Sarawak. The Sarawak Museum Journal, LXIV (85): 183-196 |
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References
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