Virtual bodies

The architectural design of physical spaces vividly indicates which bodies are expected to move in, through and around them, not-so-subtly revealing the bodies that are not accounted for. This is most poignantly experienced by people whose bodies are already prone to encounter moments of exclusion o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Architectural Review 2022-03 (1489), p.24
Main Authors: Spiel, Katta, Gerling, Kathrin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Architecture
Chronic illnesses
Handicapped accessibility
Illnesses
People with disabilities
Sensory perception
Virtual reality
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Summary:The architectural design of physical spaces vividly indicates which bodies are expected to move in, through and around them, not-so-subtly revealing the bodies that are not accounted for. This is most poignantly experienced by people whose bodies are already prone to encounter moments of exclusion on a near-daily basis: people whose bodies are marginalized along somatic characteristics such as disabilities, (chronic) illnesses, race, gender or age. Here, the focus of Spiel and Gerling lies on disabilities and (chronic) illnesses, specifically those affecting sensory perception and mobility; they refer to this group as disabled people, a group they consider themselves to be part of in different ways. The promise of universally accessible virtual realities presents several issues. There is a danger that the experiences marginalized bodies are excluded from in physical worlds are relegated to virtual worlds to escape the responsibility of accounting for their existence in the design of physical spaces.
ISSN:0003-861X