INCORPORATION OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND ADINKRA SYMBOLOGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCESSIBLE AND APPEALING SPACES AT THE STARDOM HOTEL

The importance of universal design especially in public establishments is indisputable. However as accessible tourism remains a new phenomenon in Kenya, and universal design principles are yet to take root in the hotel industry, comfort and satisfaction for a handicapped traveller in Kenya remains a pipe dream. With the lack of implementation of accessibility policies put in place in Kenya it remains the moral responsibility of the hotel owners to create accessible environments. This research aims to show how hoteliers stand to gain an increase in customer satisfaction and boost their market as they tap into this ignored niche.
With 4.44 million Kenyans being disabled(Global Disability Rights Now, n.d ) inclusive design should be a rooted paradigm in the hotel industry by now. Accessible design is not only benefitial to the disabled but also to the able bodied. It benefits the elderly, children , individuals pushing strollers as well as people who have a temporary disability. Inclusive design should therefore be implemented in all aspects of design in the hotel so as to be used by everyone and to avoid accommodation only meant for “special needs” which may bring about a feeling of stigmatization for people living with disability(Pilarski and Rath, 2013).Inclusive design should span across all the categories of the built environment and design. It is imperative that the interior allow easy movement within the spaces and the accessories in the rooms are at a reachable height. signage should also ensure the visually challenged can access tactile information as well as locate the signs through visual contrast. Wayfinding should also be taken into account through visual contrast as well as landscape accessibility through well knit paths for people with wheelchairs to pass comfortably and well lit environments for the visually challenged. hotels should aim to make their customers can utilize independently and end up feeling like guests not as people with disabilities(Scandic, 2018).
Aesthetics should not be sacrificed for the sake of functional design. Universal design can be beautiful and functional all at once and this research aims to prove this. As aesthetics should be a big part of an accesible environment, what better way can africans express themselves if not in their own authentic designs. Blessed with about 3000 tribes speaking 2000 languages (Atienza, n.d), Africa is boastful of a variety of techniques and art in architecture, textiles and artefacts. Symbols being visual expressions of a society's culture, knowledge, beliefs and history (Clarke, n.d), can be used in interior design to spread the wisdom of the forefathers as well as introduce a beautiful african aesthetic to the hotels. This research is aimed on the Adinkra symbols of the Ashanti. It will elaborate how these symbols can be used in the interiors, upholstery and products in hotels to bring about a beautiful aesthetic that spreads the positive messages embedded within the symbols.
As ‘good design’ is not only accessible but also sustainable, this research aims to show how hoteliers such as the Stardom hotel can use environmentally friendly material. By the researcher exploring the new materials that come from upcycling and the use of durable eco friendly material, they are able to highlight how sustainable design can be. The
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emergence of gabion furniture in landscapes and wood-plastic composite materials ensures that there are less resources being used thus preserve trees. Upcycling and recycling of plastics can create strong , durable furniture as well as reduce the carbon footprint left by burning plastics in landfills. This research will open our eyes to how accesible, sustainable hotels can benefit the community as well as promote the African aesthetic.