48 Hour Inclusive Design Challenge, Seoul 2009
Jamsil Sports Complex, Seoul
12-14 October 2009
Sponsored and and co-organised by the British Council as part of their Creative Cities project and the Seoul Metropolitan Government
Team E
Team leader: Ben Griffin (TheAlloy)
Design partner: Eungho Ahn
The issue
The word leisure comes from the Latin word licere, meaning 'to be permitted' or 'to be free.' In leisure activities, people should feel free and included. The team's inspiration for Licere Seating was their design partner, Eungho Ahn, who has discerning taste and a passion for the opera.
Twenty-two years ago, Eungho suffered a spinal cord injury and lost the use of his legs. He lives an independent lifestyle, using a wheelchair. Eungho Ahn took the team to an auditorium in Seoul and explained the problems he faces as a wheelchair user attending a performance.
The existing auditorium layout provides a reserved space for wheelchairs towards the back, but Eungho would prefer to be closer to the front. The team's challenge was to find a solution to this problem and promote social inclusion and benefits to all users. Throughout the design process they considered not only the needs and aspirations of Eungho but also people of all ages and abilities.
What is it?
Licere is a mainstream solution, which could be deployed in many types of venues/auditoriums without significant changes to the infrastructure:
