Qualità architettonica e accessibilità nella riqualificazione di edifici esistenti

The adaptation of the existing building heritage to contemporary quality and performance standardsis a current topic always at the center of scientific and cultural debate, especially in a country like Italy rich inboth historical buildings to be protected and enhanced, and modern buildings that need functional, static andenergetic adjustment. One of the most significant aspects concerning the quality of the built environment is theissue of accessibility. In fact, the usability of spaces for all users, without discomfort or impediment, affirms thehuman right to mobility and it is a sign of civility and respect for the dignity of individuals. In recent years, theconcepts of architectural barriers and disabilities have undergone considerable evolution. Therefore, buildingsmust be designed in terms of accessibility, with an inclusive design approach, even in the case of interventions onthe existing ones. In this context, it is essential to know the needs of different users and to translate theirrequests into real applications for the design of new buildings or for the adaptation of existing ones. In thepresent research, a methodological procedure is proposed and applied to three buildings and their external areasof the University of Catania, which allowed both to recognize the deficiencies of the built environment througha critical reading of places, and to identify the technical solutions to guarantee the multi-sensory use of spaces.