Ask the Right Question ― A Rational Approach to Design for All in Italy

This book offers a clear, yet comprehensive guide to how to structure a design project, focusing in particular on the key questions designers, architects, policy makers and health professionals should consider when working towards inclusion through design. The book is based on a series of lessons held by the author and his colleague Avril Accolla, whose aim was to train technicians at all levels to be capable of catering for the needs of the elderly. It clearly draws the outline of their “Ask the Right Question” approach, whose purpose is to help convey the notions in question appropriately to people with such widely different backgrounds, curricula, interests and cultures. Using a minimalist approach, based mainly on the discussion of eye-catching real-life examples placed in logical order and a crystal clear, engaging style, this book is a must-have for designers, technicians, customers and health practitioners, as well as social scientists and policy makers who deal with inclusive design at different levels and anyone interested in topics related to technological evolution and social integration.

Luigi Bandini Buti is an architect and European ergonomist (Eur.Erg.), who has spent more than 25 years working with ergonomics applied to products, systems and places and with Design for All. He has held many institutional offices, serving as Vice-President of the Italian Association for Industrial Design (ADI), and President of both the Italian Ergonomics Association and Design for All Italia. His work as a lecturer both in Italy and abroad has a special focus in his course in “Design for All” at the Milan Polytechnic Faculty of Design. He has received numerous acknowledgements for his professional and research activities, including the ADI Compasso d’Oro Award in 1981 and the Award of the San Diego chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He recently served as accessibility consultant for the archaeological area of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. His numerous publications include Ergonomia Olistica in 2008 and, more recently, Design for All – Aree di ristoro – il caso Autogrill in 2013.