Universal Design Cell

 

BNCA – Dr Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture for Women in Pune is functioning under the aegis of MKSSS- Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, a 114 years old samstha which was established in 1896 by a great visionary and social worker Bharat Ratna Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, to provide shelter to destitute women and work towards social, educational, financial and spiritual upliftment of orphans, distressed women and widows, making them confident and self-reliant.

Carrying forward the same spirit of the parent organization, BNCA’s Universal Design Research and Training Centre is a step initiated at the institute for architecture, towards integrating Socially Inclusive Design education and practise that responds to needs of all sections of the society ranging from children to elderly, able bodied to the people with disabilities, literate to illiterate, the economically affluent to the economically weak people etc.

BNCA’s Universal Design Research and Training Centre aims to take leadership in promoting Universal design approach for creating inclusive products and environments through four principle activities – Research, Training, Awareness and Service. Establishment of

It’s inception started in 2011, and since then a wide range of activities and efforts have been undertaken successfully under the leadership of Prof Sayali Andhare & Prof. Kavita Murugkar guided by Dr. Abir Mullick, Vice Chancellor of Navrachana University, Vadodara and Dr. Anurag Kashyap, principal of BNCA. The centre was formally inaugurated this year on 14th February in the institute courtyard at the hands of esteemed Universal Design experts Dr Abir Mullick and Dr Rachana Khare, Professor at SPA, Bhopal in presence of Prof. Balaram.

Contact details:
Prof. Sayali Andhare (Director, UDC)
E mail : sayali.andhare@bnca.ac.in

 

The Universal Design Centre (UDC) was established at BNCA in 2011 with the mission of fostering inclusion for people with disabilities through architectural education and practice. The center is founded on the belief that disability is not an individual limitation but a challenge created by social and environmental barriers. By addressing and removing these barriers, a rights-based inclusive society can be achieved. Recognizing the crucial role architects play in shaping accessible environments, UDC is dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge and sensitivity needed to design for all.

Over the past 14 years, the center has successfully sensitized and trained students at BNCA, instilling a deep understanding of Universal Design. This initiative has significantly enhanced students’ awareness, ensuring that from the first year to the final year, they prioritize universally accessible, user-friendly designs over merely aesthetic ones. Through this approach, BNCA’s Universal Design Centre has established itself as a catalyst for nurturing socially responsible and inclusive architects for the future.

A key aspect of UDC’s approach is the active involvement of people with disabilities in its educational activities—as partners, mentors, and user experts. The curriculum encourages hands-on learning through tactile model experiments, user need surveys, participatory design studios focused on buildings for special groups, and other experiential exercises. This engagement ensures that students gain firsthand insights into inclusive design principles, reinforcing the importance of accessibility in the built environment.

Since its inception, the Centre has undertaken various activities to promote universal design principles:

Educational Modules:

  • 18 weeks elective module on Universal design introduced and conducted every year in B. Arch Curriculum at Pune University.
  • As part of this elective, access audits of multiple buildings including Dr. B.N. College of Architecture, on the MKSSS campus were conducted, followed by proposals for improvements and necessary rectifications to make buildings accessible. Click here to view report
  • Integrated Universal Design theory and principles in all design studios at B Arch and M Arch level.
  • Every year Simulation exercises, experiments with tactile models, user needs surveys, and participatory design studios based on the needs of people with disabilities are conducted as part of the curriculum.

UD initiatives at BNCA:

A variety of activities, projects and events have been successfully organised through this centre by team of faculty members and students in the past Fourteen years, which includes Established a library and laboratory on Universal Design at BNCA.

  • Written research papers on Universal design-related studies.
  • Conducted access audit and design proposal for enhancing the accessibility of the World Heritage Site of Ellora, Aurangabad.
  • Conducted an Access audit of Chaturshringi temple in Pune, and designed a proposal for making the site accessible.
  • Conducted Access audit of Shaniwarwada and Pataleshwar caves- national monuments in Pune, and designed a proposal for making the site accessible.
  • Conducted Access audit of Pune Railway Station and Swargate Bus stand.
  • Ongoing research on the inclusion of people with disabilities, with a focus on people with visual impairment, in heritage sites.
  • Universal Design Workshop for students of all colleges of architecture in Pune.
  • Conducted City-level Seminar on UD in association with Pune Construction Engineering and Research Foundation for professionals and academicians.
  • Training students through participation in Universal Design Competitions at the national level.
  • Sensitization program for students across all colleges of architecture in Pune in association with Ekansh, a local NGO in Pune.
  • Contribution to creating awareness amongst the common man through newspaper articles and papers.
  • Participation in public exhibitions to spread awareness on this subject.
  • Conducting Heritage walks for groups of differently-abled students and citizens.
  • Organized National level round table conference on Universal Design at IUCAA, Pune with national-level UD experts.
  • Conducted two-day intensive training for CPWD engineers in Pune on Universal Accessibility.
  • Celebrating World Disability Day and White Cane Day every year in collaboration with city-level NGOs and special schools.
  • Participation in a city-level Street Design Competition organized by PSDCL with a proposal of a model street based on Universal Design.
  • Publications on Universal Design.
  • Documentation of Global best practices in Universal Design.
  • Mobility Training Workshop for People with Visual Impairment
  • Multisensory Exhibition of Tactile Paintings
  • Sensitization Workshop on Global Accessibility Awareness Day

 

 

Awards

ZERO PROJECT INNOVATIVE PRACTICE AWARD 2020

 

Universal Design Centre was recognized in 2020 with a global-level award at United Nations HQ., Vienna for innovative practices to empower people with disabilities.

Zero Project Award is a globally respected platform started by the Essl Foundation in 2008 with the mission to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention for Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and to work for a World without Barriers. It meets its aim by bringing together and giving recognition to innovative practices happening across the world for empowering people with disabilities based on innovation, impact and scalability. It is given every year in a gathering of leaders from the Disability sector at the Zero Project Conference at United Nations Headquarters, Vienna.

This year Zero Project received around 500 nominations for the award from 106 countries out of which 75 were declared the award after several rounds of evaluation. 5 organisations from India were declared this prestigious award this year for their innovative practise namely Universal Design Centre, BNCA, Pune; Nayi Disha Resource Centre, Hyderabad; Catholic Association of India; Amar Seva Sangam, Tamilnadu and Light of the World and Partners, North East India. All 5 organisations have been dedicated working on Inclusive Education for Persons with disabilities and have made a huge impact through their efforts. The award given to UDC was received by Founders Prof. Kavita Murugkar and Abhijit Murugkar, at UN Vienna amongst  800 changemakers from public and private sectors across the world.

Message from Dr Kashyap, Principal of BNCA on this occasion

“It is a proud moment for BNCA to be recognized as a global leader in the disability movement and I am very happy that we have made a visible contribution to this much neglected issue in the country. We shall stay committed to the cause by strengthening and increasing the institute’s efforts in this direction. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam for us is a reality we want to create and not merely a message.”

The Director of the centre Prof. Kavita Murugkar has also received the NCPEDP MPHASIS Universal Design Award 2014, INTER-UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COMPETITION AVISHKAR AWARD 2012, INTER-UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COMPETITION AVISHKAR AWARD 2019 for her academic and research-based work on the subject of Universal Design.

 

Links to press and media coverage on initiatives and achievements by UDC, and BNCA.

VIDEO LINKS:

Visit the following links to know more about UDC, its founding team, and its activities.

Prof. Sayali Andhare,
Founder member and Director of Universal Design Centre for Training and Research at BNCA
Email- sayali.andhare@bnca.ac.in

MENTORS

  • DR. ANURAG KASHYAP
  • DR. KAVITA MURUGKAR
  • MR. ABIR MULLICK
  • MR. SANJAY JAIN
  • MR. SAMIR GHOSH
  • PROF. DHANANJAY BHOLE
  • MR. SHANTANU LADAK

TEAM

  • PROF. SAYALI ANDHARE
  • PROF. SUJATA MEHTA