Abstract
As the seniors and the disabled has increased, the demand for cultural centers has also increased in many local areas. This means that the local cultural centers designed from the viewpoint of universal design are needed, so that to be used by everyone without any difficulties. This study examined the applicability of universal design principles to the public service areas of the local cultural centers. The subject cultural centers were three local ones which had seating capacity of more than 1,000 and opened after the year of 2,000 in Gyungnam. The spatial scopes of the study were six public service areas of the local cultural centers : entrance area, corridor and pathway, stair, ramp, elevator, and rest room. The total 65 items for evaluating the applicability of universal design were selected and examined for six areas. On the whole, accessibility, such as wide pathway and flat floor was good. However, the following improvements were needed. 1) Handrails and rounded corner were needed on walls. 2) Consideration of the visually impaired like as braille sign was needed. 3) The handrails on ramp should be installed for usability. 4) The automatic door would be more useful to the physically disabled users. 5) Wider space and familiar handrail design and color were needed in the rest rooms for the handicapped.
