Final Project
Year V
The future of disability
RE-ABILITY center
prof. Dan Hadel, Daniel Zarhy, Tal Erez
What would an amputee person feel, if he could transform from a person who society has treated so far as disabled - to an advanced person, whose organs cannot age, and his physical abilities only develop and improve with time?
When a person loses one or more of his limbs, he also loses a significant element from his identity, along with his entire world becoming more challenging for him to live. Not only that daily actions have now became obstacles, but also his self-evaluation is harmed, and he would most likely would experience difficulties with inspiring and dreaming about the future. Whether he chooses a wheel chair or a prosthesis - these cannot substitute a human organ or the free movement range, in addition to the feeling of lacking which is experienced as highly significant.
However, we are now at a changing point: medical technology is now much more advance, therefore the old limb prothesis are now being replaced with bionic organs. These organs are connected to the human’s brains and nerves system, meaning they have a much wider movement range and are tailor made to the person’s body, abilities and to his personal wishes.
Now, a person who has had his legs amputated, can choose wither he wants to climb cliffs or glaciers, become a dancer or practice professional gymnastic, surf, run and basically do any actions he wishes to do.
Bionic organs are not the far future and are not science fiction, but the current present.
How does architecture confront this subject?
In fact, it isn’t progressed enough comparing to the advanced technology. Today’s standards and solutions for disabled people accessibility in physical structures, are losing their relevancy once a so-called disabled person, who has bionic organs- can now climb stairs fasted then a healthy person.
Re-Ability Center
This is the first center in the world trying to overcome the described gap.
The centre’s leading perception is to create an interventional array which starts at a point where the disabled person arrives to the center, consumed with his inner fears, but yet with the dream of returning to his prior functionality; and ends with him being able to move freely and with confidence while using his bionic organs.
The manufacture of bionic organs is a tailor-made process and it is integrated with the rehabilitation process and with the mental & physical support. Having all the therapy elements needed at the same structure allows establishing an expert team which works co-operatively - this allows a flexible decision-making process and shorter waiting times. In addition to the advanced technology, it is highly recommended to establish an additional innovative array to control and monitor throughout the years, since a young person’s body isn’t as an old’s one, but their wishes remain the same and now are also achievable.
On one hand, the manufacture of bionic organs and the integrated innovative technology, escort the participants throughout the entire structure; while on the other hand there are spaces dedicated for mental therapy for the disabled person and his companions. Disabled sports aren’t a new thing, but now these people have advance abilities, despite their past injuries - and they can participate in any sport they wish; Meaning the body’s boundaries are being re-evaluated.
Between the psyche and the technology are all the tools needed: Both the physical tools and the professional consultants who work in the facility. The center’s location is in the middle of a High Tech and innovative industry area, so the social stigma of disability, which refers it to irregularity and sickness - shall be decreased and changed.
A re-observation of the term ‘Disability’ is required, as well as a change of conception regarding the question of what is disability, along with a new evaluation regarding the boundaries of accessibility, humanity and technology.