COMPANY INFORMATION

Joan Seirlis - B.Arch (Cape) M.S.A.I. - has worked in private practice for 25 years working on a variety of projects including hotels, housing developments, industrial buildings, public buildings etc.

We endevour to eliminate architectural barriers in all projects undertaken and to assist all companies, who wish to make their environments safe and convenient for all potential users, including people with disabilities.

The focus of universal design is not on providing special segregated facilities (ramps, lifts, etc) for physically disabled persons to enter and use the built environment, but rather seeking to provide an inclusive environment that considers the potential ability of all people through the creation of products and environments that everyone can use, regardless of age, physique and degree of disability. 

Universal design principles are not new, as evidenced by numerous facilities and equipment in general use nowadays (e.g. speaker telephones, rolling typist chairs, adjustable drawing boards, suitcases with wheels, e-mail, etc), that were originally designed decades ago as special equipment for disabled persons, but are convenient and efficient for all users today. 

Some examples of universal design projects worked on:

• A group of cottages for the Quadriplegic Association in Ashley, Pinetown - sketch to working drawings and specifications.

• Presented a workshop at Witwatersrand University Conference on 'Formulation of Tertiary Education Policy and Practice for People with Disabilities' in October 2000. The title was Architectural Barriers + Physical Access.

• Represent the SAIA (South African Institute for Architects) on the Accessibility sub committee of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa. 

• Completed Access audits for several businesses who are interested in complying with the Employment Equity Act, including a large headquarters in Johannesburg CBD for the Standard Bank, where 7500 people are employed. 

• Durban Heritage Trust: Architectural Heritage Committee. Member of this committee for the last 3 years.

• Indoor Sports Centre for the Disabled - this is in progress as part of a Sports Institute being developed in Durban in the main ribbon of sports facilities along NMR Avenue. Concept and feasibility already completed. +- R10m

• One of 2 architects invited to sit on the Elevation Control Committee for the Outer West Local Entity.

• Joan Seirlis has completed Module 1 of the Developing Inclusive Environments post graduate part-time study at University of Reading, England.

• Presented lectures to the KZN Institute for Architecture on Integrated Architecture as part of the CPD programme which the Institute is developing for its members.

• Personal Injury reports and a qualified expert witness.