BLP on the principles of design for non-binary youth

We often design environments to meet gender-specific requirements, whether due to religious, cultural or lifestyle needs, but how do you navigate buildings when you are mis-gendered, non-binary or unsure of your gender identity? What barriers do we intrinsically create in architecture by applying gender to places, and how do we shift this to focus on inclusivity?

While working with the Youth Participation and Engagement Team at Orygen in a consultative design process for the Orygen Building in Australia, the facility architects came to understand that one of the biggest issues of concern for young people was the inclusion of design for the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly in relation to gender and sexual orientation. Standard design solutions for amenities can become continually confrontational for these groups, but is it as easy as making them all gender-neutral? And in what other ways do we unconsciously exclude them?

The Orygen project serves as a case study in the review of gender-inclusive spaces, as it sought to provide environments for youth who seek assistance for mental health issues. In studying this project, we understand that we cannot design spaces for non-binary or mis-gendered people solely based on historical information and research. The multitude of current issues can only be understood by direct engagement and including these people in the design process. Here, I want to review issues of gender inclusivity and gender neutrality, and the importance of inclusion in the design and consultation process.

1. Addressing Gender Inequality in Design

To achieve gender neutrality, we must first strive for gender equality. Design should not only cater to neutral spaces but also actively address gender inequity for women, trans and non-binary individuals. This includes reframing client briefs and design strategies beyond the male worldview.

2. The Influence of Cisgender-Centric Spaces

Neutral spaces often get dominated by cis-men, which can restrict access for others. To truly ensure inclusion, it’s necessary to move away from cisgender-centric design, an idea often referred to as ‘trans theory.’

3. Beyond Bathroom Design: Recognising Other Gender-Biased Spaces

Voice-assist technologies like Siri and Alexa often assign gender roles, with female voices used for service tasks and male voices for more authoritative roles. The world’s first genderless voice, ‘Q,’ challenges this norm and pushes toward true gender neutrality.

4. Breaking Gender Norms in Fashion

Non-binary fashion brands are emerging, reflecting the younger generation’s demand for non-binary, environmentally sustainable clothing. Examples include Selfridges’ concept retail spaces, which provoke conversations about gender-targeting in fashion and retail.

Related: Campbelltown Hospital by BLP

5. Transgender Architecture: Unearthing Historical Precedence

Historically, architecture has incorporated elements of gender fluidity, as exemplified by the Roman columns: Doric (masculine), Ionic (feminine), and Corinthian (a hybrid of both).

6. Responding to the Market Demand for Inclusion

The younger workforce and consumers demand inclusive environments that align with their beliefs. Research indicates that Generation Z, making up 24 per cent of the workforce in 2020, is highly invested in cultural inclusivity, sustainability and work-life balance.

7. Addressing Social Infrastructure Design for Inclusion

Inclusion must be a priority when designing health and educational facilities. Gender diverse individuals often avoid accessing health services due to discomfort and alienation, indicating a need for more inclusive design in these areas.

8. Orygen Project: A Case Study in Inclusive Design

BLP’s Orygen project illustrates that inclusive design requires listening to those with lived experience of gender diversity and continually updating the design process accordingly. More research and conversation around the impacts of gender neutrality and fluidity in design are needed.